New meetings for Narcotics anonymous

The impact of illegal drugs in Ballymena has been an undeniable part of the fabric of local society for many years.

Hundreds if not thousands of people and their families have endured the downward spiral which comes with addiction - but there is help out there.

Narcotics Anonymous has a new meeting every Tuesday afternoon from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at 21A Fountain Place, Ballymena.

A spokesperson for the organisation explains their aims and structure: “We are addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. Our programme is based on complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership and that is the desire to stop using.”

The programme uses a set of written principles which can be followed in daily life, and, according to the spokesperson, they do work.

“There are no strings attached to NA. We are not affiliated with any other organisations, we have no fees or pledges. We are not connected with any political, religious or law enforcement agency and are not under any form of surveillance.”

The spokesperson recounted how addiction had been central to his life experience with the primary aim being to find the ways and means to feed the habit.