A resource for anyone who wants:

  • Information on the history of Narcotics Anonymous.
  • To learn archival skills and techniques.
  • A repository for Zonal, Regional, Metro, Area, group, and member archives.
  • To collaborate on NA history research projects.

We Provide

  • Access to a curated, searchable library of documents, images, and media files that are open to the public.
  • Resources to educate, guide, and promote preservation of NA history.
  • Opportunities for collaboration.

Selected Archives

Why Use This Archive

Preserving the Message is not part of the NA service structure.  However, it is comprised of individuals committed to the preservation of the history of Narcotics Anonymous.

In designing this website, volunteers decided to:

  1. Make it easy to search for content.
    • Search by keywords.
    • Search by document type, service level, location, year, etc.
  2. Add OCR recognition to make it easy to search within documents.
  3. Assure anonymity is preserved by redacting personal identifying information (i.e., last names, addresses, phone numbers).
  4. Maintain an inventory log of items held by Preserving the Message, including those not approved for the website.
  5. Make items not approved for the website accessible through a research application and agreement.
  6. Maintain original documents in addition to those that have been redacted.
  7. Include content that represents different perspectives on historical topics.
  8. When known, attribute material to the collection it is part of.

Non-Profit

Preserving the Message is incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania as a domestic nonprofit organization. Preserving the Message is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt, charitable 501(c)(3) organization.

Managed by Volunteers

Preserving the Message is a volunteer driven endeavor. There are no paid employees or consultants.