On July 7, 2019 members worldwide participated in this live discussion. All capable of civil discourse were welcome to join. These addicts put forth solutions to a dire problem ☆ In recent years I have refrained from mentioning NAWS in many of my essays and articles, preferring to instead focus on the solution. This episode is about the solution. However, the problem must be clearly identified, and the source of letters calling for Groups, service bodies and addicts to take action made very clear. Vagueness about what those actions should be does not absolve NAWS when Groups and service bodies in the concepts-based structure commit violent acts on their behalf. The conceptual, corporate structure is stepping up violent tactics worldwide in an effort to confiscate, destroy, and suppress literature by addicts, for addicts which is free of professionalism. They are literally committing Strong Arm Robbery* in our recovery meetings without the slightest regard for the presence of newcomers.
The situation is dire and we need to learn how to protect our Groups and literature. Most importantly, we need to protect the still-suffering addict to whom we are carrying a most precious message of hope and promise of freedom.
I'm going to say it how it is: When newcomers experience violence in their first NA meeting WE ARE PASSING A DEATH SENTENCE ON THEM! This is beyond unacceptable. We will no longer tolerate NAWS bullying of addicts who are committed to the Traditions, nor will we abide violence in the presence of, or directed toward newcomers whose only association with the Traditions-based literature movement is seeking the help of addicts for whom this program has worked. The only offense toward the NAWS machine these suffering addicts seeking recovery have committed is accepting that which is freely given to them from those whose recovery and gratitude attracted them to the rooms of NA in the first place. Often those who value NAWS approval and monetary gain over the lives of addicts seeking recovery attempt to mitigate the ramifications of their choices by claiming that anyone who dares utter the phrase "Addicts are dying", is engaging a cheap, overdramatic ploy. It is not; it is simple truth. Just as it was when our program was founded. Just as it was when member-addicts first put pen to paper. Just as it was when that first literature was freely given.
"Addicts are dying" is the reason we have literature at all. It is
the very reason we exist! MONEY, intellectual PROPERTY, and the PRESTIGE of "effective leadership" can no longer be allowed to trump our Traditions, or the right of all NA members to an atmosphere of complete creative freedom; most especially the right of addicts seeking freedom from active addiction to find it wherever they can.
Forcing literature on Groups whose Conscience will not abide professionalism or denying them literature written according to Traditions is a violation of the sanctity of the NA Home Group. No entity, collective, or even vast majority has a right to force their ways on a single Home Group.
Strong Arm Robbery* goes beyond a violation of the Traditions. It is literally a felonious violation of the law. We WILL NOT TOLERATE violence toward our Groups or members a moment longer! No NA Group (NAWS-subservient or Traditionalist) should ever be subjected to violence from other Groups, much less at the behest of service bodies that are subservient to those Groups' authority. There are ways to protect ourselves, our Groups, and the addict seeking recovery whom we should endeavor to serve. Violent enforcement of NAWS norms can no longer be abided by those seeking to carry an unadulterated NA message to all who seek it. Today, NA not only stands for Narcotics Anonymous, it stands for "NEVER AGAIN". The NAWS violence is at an end! -Chubs The Addict
(*Strong Arm Robbery is a specific type of larceny that is committed with a threat of force or intimidation that usually does not involve a weapon.)
