Clean &Free convention

Since 1984, the beautiful community of Ocean Shores has welcomed Narcotics Anonymous for a celebration of recovery from addiction. The annual convention, ‘Clean &Free,’ is sponsored by the 12-step fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous, known as “NA.”

We are an organization of men and women for whom drugs, including alcohol, had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts, who meet regularly and practice total abstinence from all drugs. NA is a worldwide multilingual, multicultural, fellowship with nearly 67,000 weekly meetings in 139 countries. Due to the anonymous nature of our program, compiling information about our members can be difficult. However, a 2015 membership survey of more than 20,000 members revealed that the average length of abstinence for our members is 8 years. More information about our fellowship, including a full membership survey, can be found at na.org

In March of 2017, we estimate about 3,000 NA members came to Ocean Shores. While the vast majority of our members strive to live responsibly, there are occasions when some behave poorly. We know that having thousands of people visiting Ocean Shores creates lines in restaurants, coffee shops and stores, and that it can be inconvenient for people who live here. We also know a few members, or others who came because we were here, acted irresponsibly this year.

Our organization is based on a relationship with a “Higher Power” or “God of our understanding,” and the foundation of our members’ personal recovery is based on living by spiritual principles such as honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, compassion, service and kindness.

We want the Ocean Shores community to know we will do our best to continue encouraging everyone who attends our event to be conscientious, responsible, respectful and mindful of their impact while they are visiting here. We want to apologize to anyone who was negatively impacted by our attendees, or the inconvenience of hosting us. We appreciate this beautiful location on the ocean, and the hospitality you have extended us for decades.

If you would like more information about the Narcotics Anonymous organization, or want to help someone with an addiction problem, information can be found at na.org

Thank you to the Ocean Shores community, businesses, convention center and city officials for letting us join you for a few days every year. We deeply appreciate it.

Kia K., 2017 Convention Committee Chair

Jack H., Convention and Events Chair

cechair@wnirna.org

Lantern Lunch contribution

The Green Lantern Lunch Program would like to thank the Grays Harbor Community Foundation for their generous contribution to our program. This is an example of community unity that is so important to make things happen in our rural area. We have many food insecure families on the north beach and it is our responsibility to help out all we can to make it better where ever we can. There is a lot of truth in the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” So again, thank you for caring and helping to make a difference.

Phyllis Shaughnessy/Board Chairman

Green Lantern Lunch Program