Narcotics Anonymous regional convention brings 200 to town
MOLLY SKYLES
Assistant Editor
RED OAK — Red Oak hosted the 29th annual Iowa Regional Convention of Narcotics Anonymous during the weekend at the Red Coach Inn.
Barry, the public relations director for NA in Iowa, said typically this convention is held in larger municipalities, but Kim, the chair for the event and a member of the local NA group, pushed to have it in a rural setting for the first time. (As is standard practice with NA, both Barry and Kim declined to give their last names for this article.)
“This is good for the people of southwest Iowa because the conference is closer to the addicts who need the help,” Barry said.
The conference was attended by 200 NA members from across the country, which required the group to rent out the entire Red Coach Inn, Barry said. It featured events including a hypnotist, recovery meetings, a 24-hour meeting, a dance and speakers from within NA — Barry said because NA is a self-help organization, they did not seek outside help in terms of speakers for this event.
“We’re excited that this was able to come to Red Oak,” Kim said. “It’s great not only for our members but for the local community. The merchants have been great, and hopefully this is something that can take place again in Red Oak.”
“So many smaller meetings occur in rural areas like Red Oak, and the people here should be able to experience these larger conferences,” Kim said.
Kim is a recovering addict who is 13 years sober and said this program means a lot to her and she wanted to give back by being more involved in the organization; bringing the conference here was a big deal to the local group.
The Red Oak NA group has anywhere from eight to 20 members, a number Kim said constantly is fluctuating. She is also working with Montgomery County Sheriff Joe Sampson to possibly start another NA group at the county jail.
“There are positive and negative aspects to having an NA group in a small community,” Kim said. “There’s a lack of anonymity here because everyone knows everyone so some people are afraid to even go to meetings. However, it will always be here for those who do need it and it has changed people’s lives. So the benefits outweigh anything negative.”
The Red Oak group has been meeting together for 10 years. Kim said while participation is always changing, the core of the program has remained the same.
NA operates through a 12-step program based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model, which begins by admitting to being powerless over addiction and concludes with having a spiritual awakening based on the impact of the steps.
The Red Oak NA group meets every Friday at 6:30 p.m., in the basement of the First Baptist Church at 504 E. Reed St. They also will be hosting a pig roast campout July 21 in Pioneer Park in Shenandoah.
Narcotics Anonymous is a free organization and is available for anyone wishing to recover. If interested in attending meetings or wanting more information, contact Kim at 402-669-1994.