Hospital & Institutions Learning Day Santa Fe, NM Rev 1.7 April 2019

Hospital & Institutions Learning Day Santa Fe, NM Rev 1.7 April 2019

H&I History When was the first Narcotics Anonymous H&I subcommittee meeting? The first NA H&I subcommittee meeting was in 1963 in southern California

H&I History When was the first Narcotics Anonymous H&I prison panel meeting in the Rio Grande Region? The first NA H&I prison meeting was in 1982. It went into Los Lunas honor farm which is now the level 1 in Los Lunas. When was the first Narcotics Anonymous H&I treatment center panel meeting in the Rio Grande Region? The first NA H&I treatment center meeting was in early 1983. It went into the Cottonwood treatment center.

H&I guidelines/handbook history Prior to 1984, H&I used a version of guidelines created by the World Literature Committee. The WSC H&I Committee in 1984 held workshops to rewrite those original H&I guidelines. At the World Service Conference (WSC) in 1985, the conference approved the “navy blue version” of the H&I guidelines. The name was changed from “Guidelines” to “Handbook” in 1986 WSC’89: the conference approved the Hospitals and Institutions Handbook unanimously. WSC’96: the conference approved minor changes to some existing chapters, the new chapter “Forensic and Psychiatric Units,” and revisions to the “Learning Days” and “Preparation for Learning Days” chapters. WSC’97: the conference approved changes to the “Do’s and Don’ts” in the Hospitals and Institutions Handbook.

H&I vs. regular NA meetings Are H&I meetings the same as regular meetings? Not self supporting, uses Area funds – no 7th tradition Anonymity not protected Inmates/clients cannot get out to regular meetings May be under surveillance H&I must follow the rules of the facility such as restricted access, no cell phones, or dress codes Not Autonomous – must follow Area guidelines

What does Hospitals & Institutions do? Carrying the message of recovery to those who cannot attend meetings in the community Panel meetings to treatment centers and institutions Provide meeting guides for when they get out Sending books & literature to institutions Writing letters – Steps Behind the Walls

Role Play

Types of Treatment Facilities: SHORT TERM Detox Centers – 3-6 days 28 Day Facilities Outpatient Facilities – Not eligible for H&I LONG TERM Recovery Houses– May or may not eligible for H&I Halfway Houses – Not eligible for H&I Psychiatric Hospitals

Types of Institutional Facilities: Correctional Facilities Long Term - prisons Short Term - jails Adolescent

H&I and PR What are the connections between H&I and PR? PR connection - building and maintaining relationships with facilities particularly when starting H&I and PR cooperation – joint presentations Working with PR committees when presenting information about NA to those outside the fellowship such as jails. If there is no PI/PR resource person available, use PR guidelines and PR material – Correctional facilities – See Chap 6 PR handbook – Treatment Facilities – See Chap 7 PR handbook

H&I Functions at Multiple Levels Area Service Committee Provides literature and funding for the H&I sub-committee H&I sub-committee H&I sub-committees are directly responsible to the Area members, the Area Service Committee, and their guidelines H&I Panel members Members are directly responsible to the sub-committee, run panel meetings, maintain relationships with facilities, and provide written correspondence

Sexual Harassment Zero tolerance! Don’t say anything about their body No relationships – not even consensual ones – If you have a current relationship with a client or inmate you need to leave. Harassment is in the eyes of the victim – A person may share about being raped or abused. Asking them “what is your part?” is harassment. The prisons, most jails, and some treatment centers require you to attend sexual harassment training

PREA Prison Rape Elimination Act Federal law – All prisons and Jails to comply All people entering a facility including volunteers are mandatory reporters If you are handed a note, you MUST take it and read it – If it says the inmate is being abused, report it Individual facilities will provide reporting procedures – Anything else, hand it back No consensual sex – Clients and especially inmates may not give consent. Illegal with inmates. You may be charged with a crime.

Steps Behind the Walls This is a new program in Rio Grade Region that writes letters to inmates to work steps. It’s not actually sponsorship but more guiding an inmate through the steps without sharing personally identifiable information. Confidentiality is required to protect NA and the NA members.

Program Flow H&I Panel Steps Behind the Walls Coordinator PO Box Step Guide Coordinator PO Box Step Guide Flyer With PO Box 1. Inmate Request 2. Agreement Inmate Inmate 3. Signed Agreement 4. Step Working Guide Inmate 5. Written Step Work 6. Response to Step Work / Next Step Inmate

Panel Leader Do’s Screen all panel members, speakers, and chairpersons and clarify the rules with whomever you bring into the facility. Especially the sexual harassment policy. Start and end on time! Adhere to clean time requirements of the treatment facility and the H&I sub-committee guidelines Ensure that a clear NA message of recovery is carried by all panel members Have meeting guides and literature available. Put in orders on time. Attempt to get all agreements in writing. If it is special, be sure to get it in writing and bring it to the H&I sub-committee for review Explain briefly, during the meeting, what H&I is. Clearly state that N.A. is separate from the treatment facility and from other fellowship Emphasize that NA recovery is available to all addicts, regardless of drug(s) used Explain the language that we use (addict, clean, recovery, clean time) and why we use it (the First Step of NA and Sixth Tradition of NA)

Panel Leader Don'ts Don’t bring any contraband items or weapons into the treatment facility or institution. Don’t do anything that may be considered sexual harassment! No sexual jokes. Don’t take messages or carry letters in or out of the facility Don’t show favoritism to any resident(s) Don’t bring an NA member who has friends and/or family in the treatment facility or institution Don’t attend H&I facilities alone if possible Don’t make an H&I presentation to a facility by yourself

Panel member Do’s Involve residents with the meeting, especially those in prison or long-term treatment facilities (readings, etc.) Emphasize the importance of getting to an N.A. meeting the first day out Emphasize the importance of a sponsor, regular N.A. meeting attendance, and group commitments after release Explain the language that we use (addict, clean, recovery, clean time) and why we use it (the First Step of NA and Sixth Tradition of NA) Obey the dress code, especially in institutions and exercise common sense. Adhere to the security regulations at all times.

Panel Member Don'ts I Don’t debate any issue involving the treatment facility’s rules, regulations, programs, or other fellowships with residents and staff Don’t do anything that may be considered sexual harassment! Not even jokes. Don’t discuss conditions within the treatment facility Don’t discuss treatment staff members with resident(s) Don’t discuss resident(s) with the treatment facility staff Don’t sponsor resident(s) of the treatment facility that you are attending as an H&I member until they are released Don’t accept money or gifts from, or give money or gifts to, any resident

Panel Member Don'ts II Don’t give anyone within the facility your address or telephone number or info from another NA member – “I am here for you, this is not about me.” Don't break another person's anonymity. Don’t emphasize ‘war stories’ while sharing an NA message of recovery Don’t wear flashy jewelry and don’t carry excessive cash Don’t use excessive profanity Don't show favoritism to any resident(s). Don't take messages or carry letters in or out of the facility. Don't ask what type of crime an inmate has been convicted of, or discuss guilt or innocence.

Working with others: One simple guideline in facilities that separate men from women or that are unisex: Men work with men Women work with women

Literature Do’s Make N.A. meeting schedules available to the residents Use the literature recommended for H&I work as provided by the H&I subcommittee Provide literature with the local N.A. helpline phone number Provide facilities with literature order forms and encourage the facility to supply its own NA literature

Questions and Answers Encourage questions concerning what was presented at the meeting or about N.A. but here are a few things to keep in mind: Don’t let one person dominate, get questions from as many different people as possible. Minimize cross-talk

Questions and Answers Remember that N.A. has no opinion on outside issues. Occasionally you may be asked about: Other programs or fellowships Religion, politics, or sports The facility rules and regulations Many other issues that do not pertain to recovery from addiction in the N.A. fellowship It is very important that we are not drawn into these types of discussions! Always remember to share about your experience, strength, and hope about YOUR recovery in N.A. What N.A. has done for you!

H & I Guidelines for Panel Members: H&I requirements are set by each Area not the Region. Here are some suggested guidelines You must have at least 6 months abstinence from all drugs and be working a program with a sponsor You have a strong N.A. message of recovery from addiction You are willing to comply with ALL of the H&I subcommittee and facility requirements. You are able to carry the message in a responsible way (refer to Do’s and Don'ts)

H&I Clean Time Guidelines Any N.A. member may attend H&I subcommittee meetings to learn regardless of clean time 4-6 months-Observation only to attend a treatment center H&I panel. Please don’t speak unless permitted by Panel Leader 6 months- Panel Member 1 Year- Panel Leader/Coordinator

H&I Requirements for jail/prison Varies with the facility Prison in New Mexico requires 3 years off parole/probation Completion of the facility training and clearance You do NOT need to have ever been in jail or prison to carry the message

How to pick an H&I meeting for you You may want to consider attending a treatment center meeting as your first H&I commitment since those meeting do not require a clearance. You must have clearance to do an institution meeting. Just because you meet the criteria for clearance, does not mean your clearance will be approved. Please see the local Area H&I chairperson for clearance criteria as they vary. Consider if you have a conflict of interest at the facility or with people in the facility, if you do it may be prudent to target a meeting where you do not have a conflict. Usually you must go to the Area H&I subcommittee meeting to be considered for an H&I panel member

Orientation H& I Orientation is a period that allows N.A. members to become familiar with H&I work so they are not rushed into it without any preparation for this service. As a part of orientation, experienced panel members may bring those who are new to H&I (with less than 6 months clean time) to an H&I meeting or presentation as an observer. This allows them to listen and see how the meetings or presentations really work. Also, this helps many feel more comfortable to try before commitment.

Personal Commitments Check Do you have the time? Have you talked to your sponsor and your family about making this commitment? Please DO NOT volunteer for an H&I meeting/ presentation if you are not sure you can fulfill your commitment. – (If you are a speaker and you cannot make it, give the coordinator at least 48 hours notice to fill your position.)

Reaching Out This is an H&I newsletter Written by and for addicts in institutions http://www.na.org/?ID reaching-out-index

Small Group Discussion

H&I Discussion Topics Treatment Center 1) What do you do if you are a panel leader and see a panel member asking inappropriate questions such “come over to my place after you get out?” 2) What do you do if you are a panel leader and a treatment center wants to bar specific individuals on your panel from entering the facility for an H&I panel meeting? 3) Can a person hold a position on staff at a treatment center and be on an H&I panel in the same treatment center? Explain why or why not. Prison 4) What do you do if an inmate hands you a note that reads: “Tell my mom I am OK”? 5) What do you do if an inmate hands you a note that reads: “I am being raped in my cell and I don’t know what to do”? General 6) What should be done (if anything) about a member holding a trusted servant position that handles H&I funds that is convicted of a recent theft outside NA?

Questions?