C.D.A.S.C.N.A Newsletter The Central Area Magazine August 2011 Membership or Hanging Out? It's a shame when a person that is professing to he a Recovering Addict walks, talks, and behaves just like a practicing addict minus the Drugs, this is a program of attraction not promotion.Are you promoting change or just don't use. You are the only Basic fext a person sees, are you a dressed up garbage can or a responsible productive member of society as a result of not using and working the steps... Newer members need to see how you are living the program before they decide to try it. Which is a big responsibility as a true member? If you are like me, you will go thru a period in this process where it appears that the members that are just not using are having a lot more fun than those that are working the steps, doing service & becoming respnnsible. With working knowledge of the program I made a conscious decision to just not use and nothing more. I now realize why it takes so many members a long time to get seriously into the recovery process, once that door opens it never closes and you are now truly responsible for your recovery with no excuses for it. 1 ARTICLES FROM ADDICTS 2 Clean time & Meeting Anniversaries 3 Recovery Articles 4 Central Area Admin. Crusade or No Crusade?? The article that was our in last publication asked a question to the readers / fellowship, Is There a Vigorous Concerted Reform Needed for our Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. Today I will explain what that means. The definition of Vigorous is Active Strength or done with Force, energy, or robust. The definition of Concerted is Arranged, Agree upon, or done together. The definition of Reform is To make better by removing Abuse, restore to a better condition, educate to a better way. After seeing what and how things are taking place today in and around OUR fellowship at our meetings its time for CHANGE. I welcome suggestions and concerns to help us get a better understanding, and to make some strides toward living the NA Spirit Give me a Call at 313-303-0252 In Loving Service Rene C. C.D.A.S.C.N.A. Newsletter pg#1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CELEBRATE RECOVERY Reprinted From Violent& Disruptive Behavior IP Protecting the Welfare of the Group Finally, if a member is violent or threating violence at an N A meeting and no other approaches has been successful, then the group may decide to call the police. The safety of all addicts who attend the meeting is the primary consideration. While we want to respect each member's anonymity, a violent individual sacrifices his or her right to personal anonymity by their behavior. THESE SUGGESTIONS ARE MEANT TO HELP GROUPS ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN AN ATMOSPHERE OF RECOVERY. This information is not meant to give groups authorization to attempt to control other NA members. Keeping our unity and primary purpose as our focus will better allow us to resolve any potential problems or challenges. Central Area Admin. & Committees Clean time Anniversary's Karen P. 6-25-87 / 25 yrs Billy G. 2-1-11 / 18months Joyce J. 2-20-11 / 6mths Charles McK . 3-17-87 / 24yrs Carl G. 4-16-95 / 16yrs Mary H. 6-12-91 /21 yrs Felicia J. 6-11-96 / 15yrs Kirsten H. a Grateful Addict in recovery. Before coming back into the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous I was not a productive member of society. I was a liability in light of being an asset. Today as I attempt to share some of my hopes, strengths and dreams I can say Just for Today no matter what I choose to be an asset NOT a liability (clean). It is to my understanding that I have to move forward and let go of the past. I am an ex- convict , ex-fool,ex-active addict. It took some fearless searching of self to come to the realization that I too can recover. You see Kirsten H. today can now go form 0-100 and not use drugs. Being a mother of 5 and in a drug induced state during my children's childhood gives me the hope to continue to stay clean. I am able to admit my wrongs and move forward in this process. I've been out of prison since 2007. While incarcerated I was reintroduced to the fellowship and when released I surrendered... Then I began my transition 1 )going to a halfway house alone 2) having my twins returned to me and entering a shelter 3) moving into Transitional Living Facility(during this time got very involved in a ex-felon program) 4)Being BLESSED with a house thru a Supportive Housing Program. Through this process I was mandated to attend meetings and of course at first I did what most other addicts do, got a meeting list and forged my papers to my counselor and parole officer. After completing the ex-felons program and not having a group to attend anymore I started attending NA meetings and will continue as long as I live. Today I have a sponsor, a step study family and multiple years of cleamtime. Just For Today I choose not to use drugs ever again. C.D.A.S.C.N.A. Newsletter Pg#2 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Quiz Yourself 1. What is the key to our symbol? _____________ 2. Narcotics Anonymous was formed in _____________, with the first meeting held in_____________. 3. The Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous was adapted from _____________ and are the basis of our Recovery. 4. It seemed we were two people one, _____________ and _____________. 5. Narcotics Anonymous is a _____________ of _____________ and _____________ who are learning to live life without drugs. 6. The ultimate weapon for recovery is the _____________. 7. The _____________ are our solution. They are our survival kit. 8. Freedom for the group springs from our _____________. 9. Recovery begins with _____________ . 10. Three basic spiritual principles are _____________ ,and _____________ . Continue. from page I behavior. It was a spiritual awakening that almost cost me my life & cleantime. What and who do we want to attract? Where ever we are in our recovery is who we are in life. We change the people we attract change. When I made a decision to live clean and crazy for nearly 3yrs the people in my life were clean and crazy too. They made sense out of my nonsense, with the recovering addicts letting me know that they hoped I made it to the other side of whatever I was going thru without usiog, dying or going insane. As a result of working this program I am grateful the people that attract oow want steps B recovery. Doe of the most difficult situations is watching, someone close to you clean & crazy with cleantime. The first step takes on a new meaning and a deeper surrender to the program takes place in your life & you reaffirm your committement to this program of recovery, not simple abstinence. Remember that recovery begins with the first step, but does not stop there, the rest is up to you, there are 11 more steps that lead to a point of greater freedom if you want it..... Be Blessed V. C.D.A.S.C.N.A. Newsletter pg#3 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Central Area Administration • Jeff D. Chairperson 313-460-5186 • Christopher H. Co-chair 313-6179094 • Kim R. Secretary 313-320-2349 • Co-Secretary OPEN • Jimmy C. Treasurer 313-580-1616 • Virginia H. Parliamentarian 313 -770-0312 • Darrell M. R.C.M 313-377-0389 • R.C.M Alternate. OPEN • Camilla I. H&I 313-736-2246 • Laura A. Public Rel. 313-926-9826 • Vernice L. Helping Hands 313-221-3410 • George D. Literature 313-523-8403 • Sharlese W. Activities 313-529-1567 • Leroy H. Helpline 313-336-9432 • Jermanese M . Outreach 313-7725697 • Dwight T. Men in Rec. 313-283-3209 • Gerald G. Webserver 313-930-0067 • Policy. OPEN • DACNA Rep. OPEN • MSO REP. OPEN Detroit Central Area Service Committee meets at Harper Hospital Auditorium 2nd Sunday of every month from 12pm - 4pm. C.D.A.S.C.N.A. Newsletter pg#4 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Unmanageably Some addicts will spend $50.00 on an outfit to wear to the NA dance, now this same addict will only have $5.00 at the door and the admission is $10 to get in. This same addict sees people eating gets hungry and asks to borrow money for food. Maybe this addict should have spent $30.00 on the outfit and he would be able to carry him or herself for the night. Keep Coming Back Helping other Addicts Charles Mck. I am an addict named Pearl M. I thank God and this fellowship for helping me learn how to live one day at a time. Through learning how to live one day at a time I have had the pleasure of Iiving 7yrs clean & serene (5-10-04). Thankful & Grateful for Gods Grace, Mercy and OUR fellowship!! I will keep coming, Thanks 4 letting me share... Grateful addict named Pearl M. Answers for Quiz: l)simplicity 2)July 1953 Southern California 3)Alcoholic Anonymous 4)Dr Jekyll&Mr.Hyde 5)Fellowship,men & women 6)recovering addict 7)steps 8)traditions 9)surrender 10)honesty,openmidedness and willingness C.D.A.S.C.N.A. Newsletter pg#5 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I have the power to live just for today For the past has permanently changed my way My future depends on how I react to the present This is a gift in itself A gift from a loving and caring GOD here and now How do I achieve that power? A full dose of prayer, patience, stillness in the hour Medicate yourself with the love of your higher power For he shall send you thru a full restoration Rebuilding the heart body mind and soul For the river of life is the ultimate circle To be completed by your loving and caring GOD You and others who are here for a healthy purpose To help raise you up with no strings attached No motive to move, only to motivate you To steer and guide you. To march for your heart, for your soul And for your spirit For your higher power really lives in you You are a true solider that made it thru, so you do have the power to live Just for Today Written By Carletta D. Check calendar for CENTRAL AREA MEN IN RECOVERY upcoming events Oct 7,8 2011 C.D.A.S.C.N.A. Newsletter pg#6 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ STATE OF MICHIGAN Rick Synder Richard M Mc GOVERNOR DIRECTOR D. Renee McGlue Lake County Residential Re-Entry Program 5565 M-37 Baldwin, ML 49304 February 22.2011 Ms. Lashon Bailey and Charleese Wilkerson: I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Ms. Bailey and Ms. Wilkerson for their assistance with Parolee Tonya Lanier on 02/09/2011. Ms. Lanier had a three hour layover at the Detroit Grey Hound bus station on her journey home to Montgomery. Alabama. She was fearful to be left alone while at the bus station due to her recent recovery from substance abuse. She came to me and our substance abuse counselor while at LCRRP on he own accord and expressed herfears. I felt it was my duty to find someone to sit with her to make her more comfortable. Little did I know when I assured her that I would help, that it would be so difficult of a task. I called numerous organizations,fellow parole agents and local agencies and no-one would take on this special "one time" request, partly because of the late hour of day. On the morning of Ms. Lanier's departure, I found Lashon's name and number on the Detroit Central Area's NA/AA website. I called and she immediately agreed to provide assistance for Ms. Lanier. I've spoken with Ms. Lanier and she too stated that she really enjoyed the time spent with both women and was thankful that they took her to a NA/AA meeting, dinner and even waited until her bus arrived two hours late! Ms Lanier has reported to her Alabama parole agent, is enjoying her time home and is continuing in her sobriety. This truly was a "random act of kindness" that is worthy of recognition. Ms. Bailey and Ms. Wilkerson were strangers to Parolee Lanier and went out of their way to assist "a stranger" in need, despite this person being under parole supervision. Words cannot express my gratitude and respect for these women who went above and beyond. This is an excellent example of "women helping women", both professionally and personally. It is my understanding that Ms. Bailey has the intention of forming a committee of NA/AA volunteers that would assist other travelers that have long layovers in the Detroit area. This is an excellent idea born of this situation and I fully support such an endeavor. If I can be of any further assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, D. Renee McGlue Parole Agent BALDWIN. MICHIGAN 49304 www.michigan.gov • (231) 745-7330