As we start a new year, let's look at what as groups and individuals we can do for NARANON as a whole. Will 2017 be the year, I go to the county or city to find out about health or drug events in our area? Will 2017 be the year I see a member of our NARANON meeting doing outreach and I in turn take a more active role in the meeting to free someone else's time? Will our home group in 2017 make sure that our GSR is an active member in region? You and you alone can decide on how active and how much you take on. As we remember that this is a WE program and WE see the hurt within the community, what do you decide to do?
Judy

Saturday, December 24, Christmas is December 25, Kwanzaa starts Monday, December 26. As NARANON is a spiritual program, we also know that with a lot of us, spiritually is entwined with other things in our lives. We need to remember that when we do outreach and a lot of times outreach is within the meeting itself, that we need to remember not to make the program a religious program. Many people have God as their higher power, but we must respect those who have a different higher power.
Happy Holidays to all.
Judy

There are times when we end up going to court, we hear the judges say that people need to go to the probation department. Does the judge and the probation department have information for family members to attend NARANON. Recently our judges and probation departments have asked us for information, because they have family members who are not sure what to do. As education continues, we can be there. I have called and set up appointments with judges and their departments to give them the information about NARANON. Since we have drug court, the judges want families to look at doing something for themselves. We have the local court on TV. sometimes when I hear that the addict has to go to so many meetings per week, I wish they would do the same for family members.
Judy

When cold weather hits there are less events to set up an informational table. GOGGLE is great tool to look up events coming up and events from the past. Events from the past you can find a name, number, E-mail address and find out if there will be an event in 2017. If you are told not sure, ask them to take your information and explain what NARANON is. I keep a list of contacts and if I don't her back or see any thing on their calendar, I reach out again in 2017. Most county offices will have their 2017 calendar available, which includes in our area the Drug abuse commission office. There are so many ways to have your 2017 outreach planning it in 2016. In GOOGLE, I put in events and put the city and state, health events, city and state, drug events, etc.
Have a great day,
Judy

I have heard recently on a radio station about the heroin use in our area. Prior to the announcement they put a warning that this may not be good for younger ears to hear.  I'm contacting the radio station, because I feel it is important for everyone to hear about this and for younger members of the family to know. I think it is important because sometimes younger members see things going on. It is the same when reading a newspaper article where there is now the outcry in our area not to save overdosed people because of the cost for the city. I feel as a part of outreach, it is important to present facts.
Judy