Narcotics Anonymous is an international, non–profit community based organization for people recovering from substance abuse. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using drugs. NA is a vital community resource and a free, accessible after-care support opportunity. NA cooperates with professionals by providing NA meetings in treatment centres and institutions, and is complementary to in-patient and out-patient treatment.
Narcotics Anonymous sprang from the Alcoholics Anonymous Program of the late 1940s, with meetings first emerging in California in the early 1950s. The NA program has grown into one of the world's oldest and largest organizations of its type, with 58,000 registered weekly meetings in 131 countries worldwide. Narcotics Anonymous books and information pamphlets are currently available in 34 languages, with translations in process for 16 languages. There are around 400 weekly meetings in Australia, including on the Gold Coast.
In 2009 Narcotics Anonymous conducted an Australia-wide survey of 1,029 of its members. The results provide a demographic profile of survey respondents, their drug use history, their pathway to and engagement with Narcotics Anonymous, and their quality of life improvements. These include significant improvements in the ability to remain drug free, and in employment and educational outcomes and family relationships.
NA has presented the membership survey results to the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD), members of the NSW State Parliament, senior police, and health professionals.
Ms Victoria Stephen is the chairperson of the Australian Regional Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous
The 12th International Mental Health Conference "Personality Disorders: Out of the Darkness"
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast - Wednesday 24th August – Friday 26th August 2011.
