Narcotics Anonymous program poses way out

Narcotics Anonymous program poses way out

By David Gordon

JAKARTA (JP): On April 1, 1997 in South Jakarta, eight people
attended the first ever meeting held in Indonesia of the most
successful and respected program known worldwide to help drug
addicts to become, and remain, clean.

That day introduced the renowned 12-Step Program of Narcotics
Anonymous (NA) to Indonesia.

Originally, the early meetings of Narcotics Anonymous were
held once a week at the old location of the International
Community Activity Center (ICAC) in Kemang Raya.

Only the founding member of NA in Indonesia that evening had
any experience of how the NA program or meetings were supposed to
be conducted, and what the nature of NA truly represented that
evening for Indonesia.

All of the other seven were newcomers to NA. They knew
practically nothing about what NA genuinely represented, how the
Narcotics Anonymous Program was supposed to function or what they
were supposed to do or share during the meeting.

That first NA meeting began at 8 p.m., and lasted for an hour.

There was no extravagance or fanfare, no banners or flyers, or
announcements to celebrate that first Narcotics Anonymous
Meeting. Just a few addicts that thought it might help them cut
down, or get off the drugs that were shattering their lives back
then.

The founding member stayed clean, the seven other young people
who attended that first meeting relapsed shortly thereafter.

Yet, that day commemorated the beginning of what will become
the most cherished, respected and counted upon program of
recovery in Indonesia over the next coming years. Why? Because
Narcotics Anonymous has already saved the lives of millions of
addicts worldwide, literally by opening their doors, letting
anyone into any NA meeting, anywhere, if they just have even the
slightest desire to be clean.

Narcotics Anonymous members, especially those who have been
around for some time and possess "quality clean time" also
possess the heartfelt belief, and seasoned confidence, that one
addict knows how to help another to become clean better than
almost anyone else.

The growth of NA in Indonesia is not astonishing in the
numbers of meetings, or participants who are "clean as of yet".
The idea that NA has been introduced to Indonesia, and is being
accepted is astounding. There are now 10 narcotics meetings held
weekly, four in Jakarta and six in Bogor (plus five meetings have
recently begun in Bali).

Attendance averages well over 100 addicts per week. Most of
the NA members are maintaining an active effort to work on a
program of recovery, and many of these 100 are staying clean.

No secret

The 12-Step Program of Narcotics Anonymous harbors no secrets
and in no way is any kind of clandestine method, let alone some
crazed junkie system. NA has always been "anonymous by nature",
confidentially withholding information about members, their
families, personal names, individual reputations and private
lives from being threatened or abused by outside influences for
very obvious reasons of misuse, persecution or exploitation.

Since the inception of Narcotics Anonymous in 1953, NA has
always been a multidiversified group of recovering and recovered
addicts/junkies, men and women, who wish for nothing else other
than to stay clean and remain free from a life of drug addiction.

Addicts whose only desire is to help themselves, and help
other addicts can achieve a quality of life that is self-
rewarding, based on self-pride and self-satisfaction.

Those who follow the NA Program have a purpose and goal,
believing addicts can achieve self-respect, dignity and honor.
That addicts can, and do, recover from drug addiction, and become
productive and successful members within their families,
community and society.

Narcotics Anonymous in many aspects appears to be a modern day
miracle for addicts and their families. Regularly, the NA meeting
rooms are filled with addicts/junkies, people whose lives had
been almost totally wrecked by drugs and addiction. Yet when
someone enters almost any NA meeting room for the first time,
what they view is difficult to grasp, to hear and to comprehend.

There are addicts standing or sitting around, smiling and
sharing with each other. These addicts are usually clean,
decently dressed and look healthy. There is a look of
wholesomeness and happiness about them. Their eyes hold a certain
knowledge and brightness.

And when they share in these meetings what you do not hear is
basa-basi (small talk).

What you hear is realistic and honest sharing, straight from
the heart, and stories that tell the heartbreaking truth about
the terror, bewilderment, despair and the nightmares of being an
addict, and what life is honestly like within the junkie world.

These addicts boldly and bravely confront addiction face to
face, take self-inventories, examine their personal character
defects, making amends and retribution to those they have hurt,
carry the message of recovery to others, and by using the 12-Step
Program in their daily lives, most eventually have a spiritual
experience and awakening in their lives.

They share what their lives were like when they were addicted,
what happened when they came into the NA program, and what their
lives are like today.

Changing values

For over a decade now, our medical, therapeutic and health
communities, our sincere religious leaders, education system and
leaders have been trying to establish ways of curing addicts of
drug addiction and their addictive ways of behavior and living.

Others have tried therapeutic communities, behavior
modifications methods, rapid detoxification and medicated
recovery systems, and rehabilitation centers in other countries.

None of these have worked over the years with any worthwhile
results, statistical documentation of affirmation and quality, or
a longevity of recovery satisfaction.

While recovery centers using a variety treatments, along with
the program of Narcotics Anonymous have approximately 100
participants who are clean today, because their moral and ethical
values of thinking, behaving and living are changing.

Never has anything in the entire annuals of recovery from drug
addiction been more effective and successful than addicts helping
addicts, and families of addicts helping families of addicts.

Two of the most profound and frightening uncertainties facing
Indonesia today are how can we, Indonesia -- while in the midst
of so much political turmoil, financial uncertainty,
discrimination and prejudice, education debates and religious and
medical complexities -- construct programs that have qualified
specialists and adequate facilities to help addicts recovery from
drug addiction? And, how are we supposed to face the overwhelming
and escalating crisis with drug addicts who are, and those who
will become, infected with HIV and hepatitis?

Another complex question is, how can we assist families of
addicts, when we have so little understanding about addiction and
the viruses?

The 12-Step Program of Narcotics Anonymous is already
thoroughly prepared, not just to face these questions. NA is
already working with these people and families successfully.
Members, who have recovered from addiction are today well
prepared with information, literature, books, NA meetings, family
support groups and counseling services to share knowledge and
wisdom with anyone seeking help, assistance or information about
drug addiction, the hepatitis virus and HIV.

There are no charges for counseling, sharing and information
in NA (other than to pay a small amount for meeting rooms and
refreshments).

No cost

NA has no governing body, no political hierarchy and no rules
and regulations that must be followed.

Each NA meeting is anonymous, and may be run any way the group
conscience decides is best for each particular group. No one in
NA demands anything from anyone, everything is shared by
suggestions only.

The benefits and safeguarded advantages of a functional
Narcotics Anonymous community in Indonesia cannot be
underestimated.

Meetings can easily begin anywhere, a room, a house, or in an
office. Nothing is needed, other than a few members to share how
meetings are run, what sponsorship, friendship and community can
encompass for new members of Narcotics Anonymous.

And, how Narcotics Anonymous and the 12 steps work to maintain
long-term and quality recovery.

Narcotics Anonymous does not cost our government anything. NA
does not cost our medical and therapeutic communities anything.
NA has no religious affiliations or ties; NA is open to all who
seek recovery.

NA does not require assistance from the police or army to
supervise addicts. NA always takes care of its own members. And
as a result helps government, medical, religious and law
enforcement institutions by helping reduce addiction and sexual
disorders. It also helps decrease HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis, and
helps curb crime and violence that are directly related to drug
use, abuse and addiction.

-- The writer is a member of Narcotics Anonymous.