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Santa Barbara Area Narcotics Anonymous
Public Information Representative Guidelines

Welcome to Public Information service work. The following guidelines are intended to support members of Narcotics Anonymous who have been selected to represent the NA program to the public. Venues for public representation include taking calls on our area telephone help-line, delivering meeting schedules and information pamphlets to outside organizations that work with addicts, and operating information booths at special events. Please read and follow these guidelines carefully. Thank you for your service.

1. Unity: Please do give a clear message that Narcotics Anonymous is a viable program of recovery for addicts. In doing so, you may wish to give a general description of your personal story. While some personal disclosure can be helpful, focus your statements on the spiritual principles of recovery that unite our fellowship (i.e. honesty, open-mindedness, willingness as well as the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). How addicts recover in NA is more important than any one member’s personal story.
2. Service: Share that leadership in NA is based on free service to addicts. We have no religious, political or social agendas; we serve addicts because it helps keep us clean.
3. Desire: In NA we focus on the disease of addiction not any particular drug. Our only promise is freedom from active addiction. Membership is free to anyone with a desire to stay clean. There are no other requirements.
4. Responsibility: Remember that you are representing NA rather than yourself. While our members are free to form and share personal opinions on any number of subjects regarding addiction, recovery or spirituality, a Narcotics Anonymous Public Information setting is not an appropriate context within which to share them. While representing NA, we refrain from expressing personal views in favor of presenting the general principles of recovery in NA.
5. Purpose: Express that our primary purpose is to carry the message of recovery to the addict who still suffers. Mention that our meetings are designed to help new members stay clean and give a general description of what our meetings are like and how they help addicts.
6. Endorsements: When representing NA, please do not discuss outside enterprises such as recovery houses, rehabs, therapists or other 12 step programs. Even if you have experience with these institutions, focus your discussion on NA.
7. Self-Support: Do not accept any donations from anyone. If you are working an NA related event, leave the seventh tradition collection up to the event committee. If an individual wishes to make a donation direct him or her to the event coordinator.
8. Nonprofessional: At no time should we offer professional advice concerning legal, medical, psychiatric or any other related issues. If inquirers seek this kind of advice, use it as an opportunity to explain our tool of sponsorship. Clarify that a sponsor is simply one addict helping another learn to practice spiritual principles; but for professional matters, individual members are free to seek outside help.
9. Sensitivity: Be sensitive to those unfamiliar with NA language. If appropriate, take time to explain about NA language, meeting formats, activities and service committees. Take time to describe or even review any NA literature you offer.
10. Outside Issues: When representing NA, please refrain from discussing outside issues such as politics, society and religion. Keep your message focused on NA.
11. Attraction: Do not seek to argue, manipulate or pressure anyone into accepting our program. We have a method that works for us that is open to anyone who wants it. We have no other agendas.
12. Principles: Strive to treat every inquirer equally. Give them your full attention, concern and respect. Place service principles before personalities.

Thank you again for your service. If you have questions concerning these guidelines or Public Information service work in NA, please contact our Public Information sub-committee chair.