PRESS STATEMENT BY THE FLORIDA REGIONAL SERVICE COMMITTEE
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August 9, 2022
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To the Press and the General Public,
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The tragic incident that occurred last night at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting located in Edgewater, FL was a horrific isolated event. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of all the victims.
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It is unfortunate that this happened at a place that has consistently been a safe place for people who are trying to recover from the disease of addiction. Narcotics Anonymous is a global, community-based organization with a multi-lingual and multicultural membership. NA was founded in 1953, and our membership growth was minimal during our initial twenty years as an organization. Since the publication of our Basic Text in 1983, the number of members and meetings has increased dramatically. Today, NA members hold nearly 76,000 meetings weekly in 143 countries.
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We do not know the circumstances or details of this event and they are not relative nor reflective of Narcotics Anonymous as a whole. Such incidents are extremely rare at any of the more than 70,000 plus meetings that occur regularly around the world. Our members are deeply moved by these events and will continue to pray for the families of all the victims of this horrific act carried out by one individual. Since 1953 an immeasurable number of addicts have stopped using drugs, stopped causing harm to themselves and others and have found a new way to live drug free. They have learned to become responsible and productive members of society. Narcotics Anonymous meetings will continue to provide a safe place for addicts seeking recovery throughout the world.
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Again, we deeply regret this seemingly senseless act of violence and again express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
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The Florida Region of Narcotics Anonymous
(If you need additional information about Narcotics Anonymous you can email prcoordinator [at] naflorida.org () We will not discuss this incident specifically out of respect for the families of the victims.)
