H&I panels bring NA meetings to people in jails, prisons, hospitals and treatment centers — anywhere addicts can't get to a regular meeting.
The purpose of an H&I subcommittee is to carry the NA message of recovery to addicts who do not have full access to regular Narcotics Anonymous meetings. H&I panels are held in facilities — treatment centers, jails, hospitals, and psychiatric units — under the auspices of the H&I subcommittee. They are intended to introduce those attending to some of the basics of the NA program.
NA World Services Conference-approved handbook — policies, procedures, and meeting formats for H&I service work.
Anyone with a clear and consistent NA message who is willing to share is well suited for H&I work. The following clean-time suggestions come from the NA H&I Handbook and MEASCNA policy.
3 months continuous clean time suggested before attending an H&I meeting as a panel member.
6 months continuous clean time suggested before speaking at an H&I meeting.
The H&I Chair coordinates all efforts within MEASCNA, recruits volunteers, and reports to the ASC monthly. They may seek county or facility liaisons to help with coordinating efforts.
In facilities that house only men or only women, NA strongly suggests that only same-sex members participate on H&I panels. This follows the longstanding NA suggestion that men work with men and women work with women. Problems that arise in this area have the potential to seriously damage the credibility of our fellowship. Experience has taught us that we can avoid these problems by following this guideline.
The following bulletins from the World Service Conference H&I Committee provide guidance on common questions in H&I service.
Anyone with a clear and consistent NA message who is willing to share is well suited for H&I work. An H&I meeting provides the first exposure to NA for many addicts, so it is imperative that we project a positive image because our fellowship as a whole may be judged on how we conduct ourselves. In our experience it is best for members to have three months clean before attending an H&I meeting, and six months clean before speaking at one.
In facilities where meetings consist of only men or only women, we feel strongly that only same-sex NA members should participate. References to other fellowships and their literature should be avoided — we allow addicts the opportunity to choose for themselves which fellowship is best suited for them.
The purpose of an H&I panel is to carry the NA message of recovery to addicts who are not able to attend regularly scheduled NA meetings. If the needs of the facility don't fall within the scope of H&I, services such as phoneline information, meeting lists, and literature order forms can be provided instead.
If an H&I meeting is appropriate, initial discussions with the facility must be clear about our message: NA is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. When methadone comes up, it is important not to judge — based on our Eighth and Tenth Traditions, we are not in a position to do so. We can only share that they are welcome at any NA meeting, offer NA literature, and encourage them to keep coming back.
This suggestion is the result of countless members' experience in both service work and personal recovery, and is highly recommended in H&I service work where our contact with future members is forged. In facilities where meetings consist of only men or only women, only same-sex NA members should participate.
Lack of same-sex members to carry the message is a common problem, but it cannot be used as justification for not following this guideline. If we lose one addict or facility because of this practice, it is one too many.
Any addict on any H&I panel is qualified to speak at adolescent facilities. The message is always the same regardless of age, race, or sexual identity. We focus on our similarities, not our differences. Validate their feelings and emotions — situations created by peer pressure and conflicts with parents are just as stressful to adolescents as relationship or job loss may be to older members.
Don't compare your bottom to theirs or use profanity. Acknowledge their clean time and let them know there is fun in recovery. Regarding facilities' rules, be especially aware of regulations related to interaction with residents — some may require staff to be present during meetings.
The H&I subcommittee reports at the monthly ASC meeting. Open to any NA member interested in H&I service.