Welcome

Bay Cities Area Narcotics Anonymous
Area Inventory


For over 50 years, Bay Cities Area has been a beacon of hope and recovery for many addicts. Many things have changed over the years. Rock Fest and Punk Fest have folded, and now the sound of bingo can be heard at events. Dances have become speaker jams. Meetings have changed, events have changed, and even the way we fellowship has changed.
But one thing has remained the same: recovery is still strong in Bay Cities Area.

As I began to write this Area Inventory, reflecting on the last two years that I have been of service, I started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of our Area. I also started thinking about what Bay Cities was like 25 years ago when I first walked into the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous.

I remember the days when people came early and stayed late. I remember fellowshipping after meetings. I remember when we welcomed the newcomer with a hug, told them to sit down and listen, gave them a Basic Text, and told them, with love and understanding, to do the Steps or die. We may have said it rough, but the message was simple: this program can save your life.

I remember dances at BHS with over 300 people. I remember Rock Fest and Punk Fest bringing addicts in recovery from all over Southern California to Bay Cities. We were a beacon of activities, fun, fellowship, and service. I remember when this Area had 80 to 100 meetings every single week. There was energy. There was unity. There was service.

Today, one of our weaknesses is a lack of unity in the Area. Some meetings do not want to be part of Area. They want to do their own thing and not contribute to the Area that supports them.

Another weakness is that many people have voices, opinions, and complaints, but not enough people are willing to step up and be of service.
I also believe fear of change is a weakness in our Area. The world around us has changed, and Narcotics Anonymous has changed with it. But sometimes we fear change instead of embracing it. Change does not mean we forget where we came from. It means we stay open-minded enough to keep carrying the message in a world that looks different than it did 25 or 50 years ago.

But our Area also has many strengths.
There is still a lot of recovery here. Many of my predecessors are still here. When I walk into the rooms, I still see the loving hand of Narcotics Anonymous at work. I still see newcomers being welcomed into their very first meeting. I still see addicts being made to feel like the most important person in the room, just like I felt when I first walked through those doors.

As Bay Cities celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, I believe it is time for us to go back to basics.
We need to remember what was freely given to us and ask ourselves if we are still giving it away. My question to people with time, people like myself, is this: when was the last time you invited a newcomer out for a cup of coffee? When was the last time you gave a Basic Text to someone who needed it? When was the last time you took a phone line slot to help keep the phones open for an addict in need?
Our job is to extend the loving hand of Narcotics Anonymous to those who are still suffering, both inside and outside of these rooms.
To those who are new: embrace everything this program has to offer. Get involved. Step up and be of service. Learn from those with time, and help keep the flame of recovery burning strong for the next addict who walks through the door.
Let us always remember that service is love in action.

Jimmy K., one of the founders of Narcotics Anonymous, once said:
“We need everybody. We don’t need just a few people. Every member of Narcotics Anonymous is needed in some way. None of us have it made. We can’t all give all our time. But we can be the program.”

That quote reminds me that Area service is not about titles, positions, or personalities. It is about integrity, humility, honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. It is about staying service-driven so we can educate, inspire, and carry the message to the addict who still suffers.
As I finish my time of service, I do so with gratitude. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Bay Cities Area. I am thankful for the lessons, the challenges, the growth, and the chance to give back to an Area that has given so much to me.

Thank you for letting me be of service.
Ralph U.
Area Chair