Approximately 10,000 marijuana plants with a potential street value of $40 Million was destroyed by narcotics agents early last week.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, last week  state and local authorities  located a large  Marijuana plantation containing thousands of plants. The marijuana was grown in plain sight – in the Partington Ridge area of Los Padres National Forest…

Upon it’s discovery it was quickly stamped out by officers of an elite narcotics task force and the California department of Justice. Dispite the clear edvidence – ‘the mountains of marijuana’, arrest have not been made and the investigation is still pending, in this one of the largest narcotics bust in monterey county history.

Greetings, from the NA Blog.  We recently had a staff writer attend the 2009 South Florida Rally for Recovery.  Below is a review of the walk and concert.  Enjoy.

“I recently attended the South Florida Rally for Recovery walk and concert, as part of National Recovery Month.  The event started bright and early at about 8:30am.  By 9:00am, a thousand or more people had made their charitable donations of $9.00 to support people in recovery with scholarships and had begun walking.

It was bright and hot that day, but people were in high spirits.  Everyone was smiles, hugs, words of encouragement, and inspirational story sharing.  It felt great to be part of such a worthy event.  As we crossed the Mac Arthur Causeway, cars passed and people inside stared curiously from their air-conditioned compartments.  No matter, we only had best wishes for everyone.

Later we returned to Bayfront were we received tons of free fruit and water to replenish us.  After that, we heard a representative of the Governor’s office award the founders of Intherooms.com (Kenny & RT who helped host the event) with an official document proclaiming September 12, 2009, In the Rooms South Florida Rally for Recovery Day. 

The day was filled with great speakers sharing their experiences of decades in recovery; I wolfed down delicious Arepas and frozen lemonade drink as somber rain clouds made thunderous threats in the distance.  Luckily, the weather held, and we were able to enjoy hours of amazing musical performances.

Honestly, every act rocked Bayfront park equally awesomely, but the headliners were outstanding.  Both Richie Supa, and Eric Burdon and the Animals, played all their best stuff.  There were acoustic sets, hard rocking, dancing masses, and an overall spirit of good clean fun.

I’m truly thankful Miami hosted the South Florida Rally for Recovery as part of National Recovery Month and that I was able to write this review for the NA Blog.  I look forward to attending again next year.”

She was found in a Caravan in Norfolk, there is speculation as to why the former Royal Medical Corps Technician would want to take her life. Family and friends say it’s because she was discharged against her will, others say it was the mental strain ‘Post -traumatic stress’ she suffered after serving six years in such war thorn places as Bosnia and kosovo.

The place, Beautiful Bicentennial Park in South Florida. This is going to be an all day extravaganz, with a WALK, FESTIVAL featuring Great Food music, arts and crafts, and guest speakers, Finally we top it off with an “Earth Shattering” CONCERT  – JOIN US! For more info Visit: www.intherooms.com   or    www.rallyforrecovery.org

Police Lt. Henry Boggs – said upon further investigation, police searched Ravan’s home and seized another gallon of GHB and illegal steroids.

Billy Mays’

The school of thought, is that the cocaine used only served to aggrevate his heart condition ultimately killing him. There is a great divide among popular opinion, many feel that since cocaine is washed out of the system within 24 -hours it could have not caused the heart attack., in order for this to have happened – he must have used cocaine that very day.

The year long investigation Code name “Operation Eliminacion” was spear-headed by the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force, DEA in Connecticut and New Jersey, and the Colombian National Police, ANTIN Heroin Task Force.

The strategies employed during this covert mission utilized over 40 court ordered wiretaps in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Colombia. The spoils of this investigation yielded, numerous drug presses, Narcotic Trafficking Paraphernalia, and on several occasions sizable amounts of heroin with a total street value of approximately $24 Million.

The ”crème de la crème” revealed during this investigation, was the method these two men used to transport the drugs from colombia to the United states, through Panama & Guatemala – Kidney Beans. The Heroin was Concealed inside packages of Kidney Beans, which were then resealed intheir original Cellophane wrappers.

Since pain can’t be measured, it can be almost imppossible to figure out with absolute certainty whether the patients Opiate Needs are legitimate or simply just a ruse - intended to feed an addiction. This conundrum has caused many doctors to become scene as villians, victims of the under/over opiate prescription dilemma.

A “New Comer” recently sent me this essay because he wanted to share his experience. I promised I would publish it but also told him that I would comment on the essay as well. Anyway, below are “His” (anonymous) thoughts and below that are my own. I hope this helps any New Comer to NA Meetings.

New Comer to NA: 1st Meeting Experience

Hey Editor of the NA Blog. I wanted to share this story with you and hopefully get some feed back. I attended my first NA meeting the other day and had mixed emotions about my experience. I went because I really want to quit using. This time it’s really for me. Not like all the other times. Anyway, all these guys were old schoolers with like 10 or 20 years clean, and they mostly just talked about there wives and family and money and stuff, and not there recovery or addiction. Also, the meeting was totally disorganized. There were people joking and laughing while the speaker was talking, etc. You know there were some incredible moments, but mostly what seemed like boring conversations between old buddies. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t know if I want to go back. Let me know if there is anything you can suggest.

- Anonymous

Well, first off, thanks for sharing. A New Comer’s first experience can be very rough. It seems like that is your case. However, I would not suggest that you throw in the towel just yet. Please remember, there are usually dozens of NA groups within close proximity to each other, all with different agendas, that anyone seeking the NA fellowship can attend. For example, just in my area, there are all of the following groups, each with a different focus: “Step 1-2-3 Ongoing; Beginners; Meditation; Youth Oriented; Women Preferred; Basic Text Study;” so forth and so on. I encourage you to seek out the full schedule of NA meetings and maybe try attending some other groups. Every recovery experience is different and it is very important that you feel comfortable in your home NA group. I know sometimes the “old schoolers” can be like that, but like you said, “there were some incredible moments.” Try and look for those if someone is boring you. I can tell you that recovery is not all fun and easy, but keep going back to the meeting and you’ll see that the 12 steps and the NA fellowship works.

- NA Blog (Editor)

As stated in the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, on page nine, “Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit Fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.”  Here at the NA Blog, we are dedicated to keeping anyone in the recovery community informed about Narcotics Anonymous meetings and events throughout the US.  This specific article focuses on Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Los Angeles.

The NA 12 Steps tradition is embraced at all of the 31,000 weekly meetings held around the world in the 100+ countries that form the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship.  Luckily, there is now a resource one can access easily online for up to date NA meetings information.  That resource part is offered through In the Rooms and can be located at: meetings.intherooms.com.  Below, please find a listing of just a few Narcotics Anonymous meetings the NA Blog has filtered through to provide those area-specific to LA.  We hope it helps someone out there find recovery.  For the full listing, click here.

Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Los Angeles:

AADAP
5318 South Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90043 Sunday 4:00PM

Agape Home Mission
2205 South Hobart Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018 Saturday 7:30PM

AT Center
1773 Griffith Park Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026 Wednesday 8:30PM

Avalon Carver Center
4920 South Avalon
Los Angeles, CA 90011 Wednesday 7:00PM

BHS Community Center
3421 East Olympic Blvd
Downstairs Wednesday 8:00PM

Cafe Tropical
2900 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Silverlake Monday 12:00AM

California Building Plaza
5419 West Sunset Boulevard # 7
Los Angeles, CA 90027 Friday 5:00PM

Casa Mexicana
2900 Calle Pedro Infante
Los Angeles, CA 90063
enter at Calle Pedro Infante Thursday 8:00PM

Circle of Help Foundation
2120 West 8th Street Suite 330
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Third Floor Wednesday 4:30PM

Covenant House
1325 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Speaker on 1st Sunday of month only Sunday 7:00PM

Approximately 10,000 marijuana plants with a potential street value of $40 Million was destroyed by narcotics agents early last week.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, last week  state and local authorities  located a large  Marijuana plantation containing thousands of plants. The marijuana was grown in plain sight – in the Partington Ridge area of Los Padres National Forest…

Upon it’s discovery it was quickly stamped out by officers of an elite narcotics task force and the California department of Justice. Dispite the clear edvidence – ‘the mountains of marijuana’, arrest have not been made and the investigation is still pending, in this one of the largest narcotics bust in monterey county history.

Greetings, from the NA Blog.  We recently had a staff writer attend the 2009 South Florida Rally for Recovery.  Below is a review of the walk and concert.  Enjoy.

“I recently attended the South Florida Rally for Recovery walk and concert, as part of National Recovery Month.  The event started bright and early at about 8:30am.  By 9:00am, a thousand or more people had made their charitable donations of $9.00 to support people in recovery with scholarships and had begun walking.

It was bright and hot that day, but people were in high spirits.  Everyone was smiles, hugs, words of encouragement, and inspirational story sharing.  It felt great to be part of such a worthy event.  As we crossed the Mac Arthur Causeway, cars passed and people inside stared curiously from their air-conditioned compartments.  No matter, we only had best wishes for everyone.

Later we returned to Bayfront were we received tons of free fruit and water to replenish us.  After that, we heard a representative of the Governor’s office award the founders of Intherooms.com (Kenny & RT who helped host the event) with an official document proclaiming September 12, 2009, In the Rooms South Florida Rally for Recovery Day. 

The day was filled with great speakers sharing their experiences of decades in recovery; I wolfed down delicious Arepas and frozen lemonade drink as somber rain clouds made thunderous threats in the distance.  Luckily, the weather held, and we were able to enjoy hours of amazing musical performances.

Honestly, every act rocked Bayfront park equally awesomely, but the headliners were outstanding.  Both Richie Supa, and Eric Burdon and the Animals, played all their best stuff.  There were acoustic sets, hard rocking, dancing masses, and an overall spirit of good clean fun.

I’m truly thankful Miami hosted the South Florida Rally for Recovery as part of National Recovery Month and that I was able to write this review for the NA Blog.  I look forward to attending again next year.”

She was found in a Caravan in Norfolk, there is speculation as to why the former Royal Medical Corps Technician would want to take her life. Family and friends say it’s because she was discharged against her will, others say it was the mental strain ‘Post -traumatic stress’ she suffered after serving six years in such war thorn places as Bosnia and kosovo.

The place, Beautiful Bicentennial Park in South Florida. This is going to be an all day extravaganz, with a WALK, FESTIVAL featuring Great Food music, arts and crafts, and guest speakers, Finally we top it off with an “Earth Shattering” CONCERT  – JOIN US! For more info Visit: www.intherooms.com   or    www.rallyforrecovery.org

Police Lt. Henry Boggs – said upon further investigation, police searched Ravan’s home and seized another gallon of GHB and illegal steroids.

Billy Mays’

The school of thought, is that the cocaine used only served to aggrevate his heart condition ultimately killing him. There is a great divide among popular opinion, many feel that since cocaine is washed out of the system within 24 -hours it could have not caused the heart attack., in order for this to have happened – he must have used cocaine that very day.

The year long investigation Code name “Operation Eliminacion” was spear-headed by the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force, DEA in Connecticut and New Jersey, and the Colombian National Police, ANTIN Heroin Task Force.

The strategies employed during this covert mission utilized over 40 court ordered wiretaps in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Colombia. The spoils of this investigation yielded, numerous drug presses, Narcotic Trafficking Paraphernalia, and on several occasions sizable amounts of heroin with a total street value of approximately $24 Million.

The ”crème de la crème” revealed during this investigation, was the method these two men used to transport the drugs from colombia to the United states, through Panama & Guatemala – Kidney Beans. The Heroin was Concealed inside packages of Kidney Beans, which were then resealed intheir original Cellophane wrappers.

Since pain can’t be measured, it can be almost imppossible to figure out with absolute certainty whether the patients Opiate Needs are legitimate or simply just a ruse - intended to feed an addiction. This conundrum has caused many doctors to become scene as villians, victims of the under/over opiate prescription dilemma.

A “New Comer” recently sent me this essay because he wanted to share his experience. I promised I would publish it but also told him that I would comment on the essay as well. Anyway, below are “His” (anonymous) thoughts and below that are my own. I hope this helps any New Comer to NA Meetings.

New Comer to NA: 1st Meeting Experience

Hey Editor of the NA Blog. I wanted to share this story with you and hopefully get some feed back. I attended my first NA meeting the other day and had mixed emotions about my experience. I went because I really want to quit using. This time it’s really for me. Not like all the other times. Anyway, all these guys were old schoolers with like 10 or 20 years clean, and they mostly just talked about there wives and family and money and stuff, and not there recovery or addiction. Also, the meeting was totally disorganized. There were people joking and laughing while the speaker was talking, etc. You know there were some incredible moments, but mostly what seemed like boring conversations between old buddies. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t know if I want to go back. Let me know if there is anything you can suggest.

- Anonymous

Well, first off, thanks for sharing. A New Comer’s first experience can be very rough. It seems like that is your case. However, I would not suggest that you throw in the towel just yet. Please remember, there are usually dozens of NA groups within close proximity to each other, all with different agendas, that anyone seeking the NA fellowship can attend. For example, just in my area, there are all of the following groups, each with a different focus: “Step 1-2-3 Ongoing; Beginners; Meditation; Youth Oriented; Women Preferred; Basic Text Study;” so forth and so on. I encourage you to seek out the full schedule of NA meetings and maybe try attending some other groups. Every recovery experience is different and it is very important that you feel comfortable in your home NA group. I know sometimes the “old schoolers” can be like that, but like you said, “there were some incredible moments.” Try and look for those if someone is boring you. I can tell you that recovery is not all fun and easy, but keep going back to the meeting and you’ll see that the 12 steps and the NA fellowship works.

- NA Blog (Editor)

As stated in the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, on page nine, “Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit Fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.”  Here at the NA Blog, we are dedicated to keeping anyone in the recovery community informed about Narcotics Anonymous meetings and events throughout the US.  This specific article focuses on Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Los Angeles.

The NA 12 Steps tradition is embraced at all of the 31,000 weekly meetings held around the world in the 100+ countries that form the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship.  Luckily, there is now a resource one can access easily online for up to date NA meetings information.  That resource part is offered through In the Rooms and can be located at: meetings.intherooms.com.  Below, please find a listing of just a few Narcotics Anonymous meetings the NA Blog has filtered through to provide those area-specific to LA.  We hope it helps someone out there find recovery.  For the full listing, click here.

Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Los Angeles:

AADAP
5318 South Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90043 Sunday 4:00PM

Agape Home Mission
2205 South Hobart Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018 Saturday 7:30PM

AT Center
1773 Griffith Park Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026 Wednesday 8:30PM

Avalon Carver Center
4920 South Avalon
Los Angeles, CA 90011 Wednesday 7:00PM

BHS Community Center
3421 East Olympic Blvd
Downstairs Wednesday 8:00PM

Cafe Tropical
2900 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Silverlake Monday 12:00AM

California Building Plaza
5419 West Sunset Boulevard # 7
Los Angeles, CA 90027 Friday 5:00PM

Casa Mexicana
2900 Calle Pedro Infante
Los Angeles, CA 90063
enter at Calle Pedro Infante Thursday 8:00PM

Circle of Help Foundation
2120 West 8th Street Suite 330
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Third Floor Wednesday 4:30PM

Covenant House
1325 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Speaker on 1st Sunday of month only Sunday 7:00PM