A Vision for NA Service
All of the efforts of Narcotics Anonymous are inspired by the primary purpose of our groups. Upon this common ground we stand committed. Our vision is that one day:
Narcotics Anonymous has universal recognition and respect as a viable program of recovery.
Honesty, trust, and goodwill are the foundation of our service efforts, all of which rely upon the guidance of a loving Higher Power.
What Is Service?
NA literature says that our primary purpose is "to carry the message to the addict who still suffers" and we do this by being of service. Of great importance is the fact that in Narcotics Anonymous,
service can be undertaken by anyone and comes in many forms. These include making coffee, setting up for a meeting, opening a door, chairing a meeting, passing out literature, cleaning up and
attending the Group's Business Meeting once a month. Some of these are elected positions and some are not, but they are all equally important. Anyone can get involved, if they choose to from the
first day of their recovery and we can all be of service in NA by the way we conduct ourselves. Why do you think did all of these things at your first meeting?
Why do service?
This is easy to answer as we only keep what we have by giving it away. Our greatest tool for carrying out our primary purpose is the NA group, and without individuals doing service the NA group would
not survive. In our Basic Text it says that ‘our survival is directly related to the survival of the group and the fellowship’. We have also found that service is an integral part of personal
recovery in NA and allows us to receive the full benefits that this program has to offer. Again our literature says that ‘the therapeutic value of one
addict helping another is without parallel’.
Should I get involved?
Absolutely! We encourage you to choose a 'Home Group' and become involved immediately. All Groups welcome new members. Many of us have found that our Home Group is the beginning of our path of service to NA.
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See how every NA meeting and group is connected to the worldwide NA fellowship through the Service Structure
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Area Service Committee (ASC)*
As is typical of Narcotics Anonymous, the Merseyside ASC is made up of 1 voting representative from each NA group in the Area. The ASC is steered by a committee who cannot vote. The power to make all decisions rests with the group representatives representing the conscience of their group.
The Area coordinates vital services by creating Sub-Committees, it carries the NA message through the community, it lets people know that NA exists: doctors, parents, prisoners, police, both addicts and people who regularly come into contact with them.
One can always find out about service at the local Area Service Committee (ASC). Just as groups come together to form Areas, Areas come together to form Regions and Regions come together to form World Services (https://www.na.org/). This means that your voice has the potential to be heard around the world.