Recently one of the meetings in my area hosted a dance. It was a decent turn out. But some of people who have been around for a while (20+yrs)didn't stay. When I asked why they said it was because there wasn't a some type of meeting. One person commented that this goes against the 5th Tradition and that in all his travels we're the only area that doesn't hold events accountable in this matter. Is this true? I didn't think about it until it was brought up!

In the Toronto area,we have an activities commity that
acts as a subcommity of area.There events are put together
well,and are anounced in our NA Newsletter,and anounced
at every meeting.They usualy print out anouncements.
All activities have to be aproved by area,making sure there
are no problems with Steps,Traditions,or Concepts.
Here is our literature on that tradition,but I truly
think that it did not do what most areas worldwide do,
witch is follow the area and regeons guidelines.

TRADITION FIVE
"Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry the message to the addict who still suffers." "You mean to say that our primary purpose is to carry the message? I thought we were here to get clean. I thought that our primary purpose was to recover from drug addiction." For the individual, this is certainly true; our members are here to find freedom from addiction and a new way of life. However, groups aren't addicted and don't recover. All our groups can do is plant the seed for recovery and bring addicts together so that the magic of empathy, honesty, caring, sharing, and service can do their work. The purpose of this Tradition is to insure that this atmosphere of recovery is maintained. This can only be achieved by keeping our groups recovery-oriented. The fact that we, each and every group, focus on carrying the message provides consistency; addicts can count on us. Unity of action and purpose makes possible what seemed impossible for us - recovery.
The Twelfth Step of our personal Program also says that we carry the message to the addict who still suffers. Working with others is a powerful tool. "The therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel." For the newcomers, this is how they found Narcotics Anonymous and learned to stay clean. For the members this reaffirms their commitment to recovery. The group is the most powerful vehicle we have for carrying the message. When a member carries the message, he is somewhat bound by interpretation and personality. The problem with literature is language. The feelings, the intensity, and the strengths are sometimes lost. In our group, with many different personalities, the message of recovery is a recurring theme.
"What would happen if our groups had another primary purpose?" We feel our message would be diluted and then lost. If we concentrated on making money, many might get rich. If we were a social club, we could find many friends and lovers. If we specialized in education, we'd end up with many smart addicts. If our specialty was medical help, many would get healthy. If our group purpose were anything other than to carry the message, many would die and few would find recovery.
What is our message? That an addict, any addict, can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live. Our message is hope and the promise of freedom. When it is said and done, our primary purpose can only be to carry the message to the addict who still suffers because that is all we have to give.



Tradition Five 117

117

TRADITION FIVE

“Each group has but one primary purpose—

to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.”

Our primary purpose is at the heart of our service. With guidance

from a loving Higher Power and a clear focus on this purpose,

NA groups become a channel for the healing power of

recovery. Narcotics Anonymous exists to help addicts find freedom

from active addiction. If we were to espouse other ideas or

pursue other goals, our focus would be blurred and our energies

diminished. The Fifth Tradition asks us to practice integrity by

keeping our purpose foremost.

Tradition Five helps our groups fulfill the fundamental reason for

their existence: to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.

As we learned in the Fourth Tradition, NA groups are free to find new

and different ways of presenting meetings. This freedom is important;

it protects and encourages diversity, letting us reach addicts by

many means. In this autonomy, each group develops a character of

its own. The character of the group is not its purpose, however. The

message we carry is not our group personality but the message of

Narcotics Anonymous—the principles of recovery.

What is the message that we are asked to carry? Groups carry

the message of NA: hope and freedom from active addiction. This

message may be voiced in many ways. Sometimes we simply share

that if we don’t use any drugs, we won’t get loaded. Other members

share that they have found satisfying, productive lives in recovery.

Sometimes the message we share is that, even though life may be

painful, we can stay clean. The spiritual awakening we experience

when we work the steps is also our message. When addicts experience

the message of recovery, we find healing from our suffering, no

matter what the cause. We can live drug-free and establish new lives.

Monk ,I totaly agree with what you are saying .Some activites go beyond any recovery ideas.Some cost to much and are not well attended.