The Narcotics Anonymous message is “that an addict, any addict, can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use and find a new way to live.” Our relations with the public enable us to share this message broadly so that those who might benefit from our program of recovery can find us. We perform public relations service to increase the awareness and credibility of the NA program. We share our message openly with the public at large, with prospective members, and with professionals. Maintaining an open, attractive attitude in these efforts helps us to create and improve relationships with those outside the fellowship. Establishing and maintaining a commitment to these relationships, can help us to further our primary purpose.
The various materials listed below are intended to facilitate the understanding of how to do NA Public Relations to various audiences. This includes suggestions on recruiting volunteers, working with H&I, Education, and the Judiciary among others as well as ways for H&I and PR to work together, and various other examples of how to carry the NA message. Some of this material is also usable for how to use PR to start H&I panels.
PR Material
A video to show to a PR committee with various ideas on how to do PR:
https://wszf.org/pr-online-and-live/
A description of how to do PR collaboration at the Regional and Zonal level:
https://wszf.org/collaboration/
A PR video from the Rio Grande Region usable to send to the general public or specific facilities or VIPs such as judges, educators, or hospital administrators:
https://wszf.org/regional-pr-august-15-2020-video/
Slides from the video above so they can be edited and customized for local use:
https://wszf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PR-Rio-Grande-Region-2020-Powerpoint.pptx
Notes from a class on how to do a fast but effective PR presentation to a VIP such as judges, educators, wardens, hospital administrators, or political leaders:
https://wszf.org/notes-for-a-pr-presentation-to-one-person-or-small-group/
A video on how to use PR to get permission to start H&I panel meetings online at a jail or prison including information about carrying the message to Treatment centers:
https://wszf.org/hi-online-and-more/
The slides used in the above video on how to get permission to start H&I panel meetings online at a jail or prison including information about carrying the message to Treatment centers. They may be downloaded and edited to fit local needs:
https://wszf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PR-for-H-I-Jails-Prisons-Feb-2022.pdf
A description of how to organize a conference with correctional personnel from prisons or jail to enhance their understanding of NA and learn about their concerns:
https://wszf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NEZF-PR-Creative-Ways-to-use-Technology.pdf
Education material on how to write an effective report in NA including PR reports at Area or Regional service meetings:
https://wszf.org/effective-report-writing-in-narcotics-anonymous/