NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS PROGRAM POSES WAY OUT

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.