About Us
In 1979 a psychiatrist and member of Alcoholics Anonymous, Gary T., attended a recovery-based information seminar in Atlanta GA and met Ron R. who was manning the Public Information booth for Narcotics Anonymous.
After speaking with Ron, Gary felt there was a definite need for Narcotics Anonymous in Greenville SC, where he was from. He told Ron if he was willing to relocate to Greenville, he would provide him with housing and transportation and possibly vocational needs if he would start a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. Ron agreed.
January 10th, 1980 Gary set up a meeting with people from MIP (Marshall Pickens) Outpatient Services. The meeting was successful and they were happy to have an NA meeting at their facility on Monday nights 8:00pm.
Monday, January 14th, 1980 The first open discussion meeting of Narcotics Anonymous was held on at MIP. The topic that night was God as you understand God. There were approximately 17 people in attendance. Gary T., Ron R., Neal B.,
Phil H. Phil A. Freddie B., Marty B., Gail R, Woody M, Billy H. Gary, JT, Dee H. and patients from MIP. The meeting gave out Hoyle poker chips at the end of the meeting to acknowledge clean time. Dee H. picked up his one and only white chip.
Monday, January 21st 1980 At the 2nd NA meeting they came up with a name for the group: 3 possible names: Oasis: Gary T. / Phoenix: Ron R. / Clean & Green: J.T. Clean & Green was voted in.
January 14, 1980 Clean & Green is listed at World as the first registered NA meeting in the Carolinas: (Jimmy K. said to back date to 1st mtg. date). World wanted individual contacts for Clean & Green: Phil H. 1 month clean / Ron R. 1 year clean and Neal B. 9 years clean were the contacts for the group.
Feb 1980 Group Road Trip to Atlanta. Shirley C. – 5 years clean housed everyone. She had been one of the main speakers at the 1979 World Convention held in Atlanta, GA. During the weekend they attended a Valentines Dance at Highland Club. Members of NA in ATL suggested to Clean & Green to add another meeting to help carry the message. Clean & Green added the Thursday night meeting shortly after.
March 1980 Clean & Green moved to Westminster Presbyterian Church where they still meet. Billy H. found the meeting space. 1st full term GSR Phil H. / Treasurer Ron R. / Dee H. Secretary. Phil would call World: Jimmy K. and Bob B. and deal directly with them for information.
Out hotline was an answering machine Phil H. had in his home.
June 1980 -Clean & Green Group Event: 1st Annual Mini Blue Ridge Convention – Held at Lookup Lodge on Highway 11. People from all over country came for the weekend. Phil A. found location and Phil H organized committee Neal, Woody and Dee.
This event later became the Regional Convention for the Carolina’s which lasted through July 1999).
Many old timers attended. Bo S. who started the momentum of writing the NA text.
And Linda whose story A Little Girl Grows Up is in the book and Motorcycle Ed.
November 1980 Phil H. took Dee H. to eating meeting at AA Fewell group. While there they heard about an upcoming group anniversary, which gave them the idea to have a celebration of Clean & Green for their 1-year anniversary.
January 1981 Clean & Green 1 Year Anniversary Held at First Baptist Church downtown. 1st Speaker was chosen by Woody M. 30-40 people in attendance. – Home group members organized.
June 1981 – 2nd Annual Mini Blue Ridge Convention – Asheville – Warren Wilson College
First time we had a committee with trusted servants.
October 1981 – First meeting to become a regional meeting held in Myrtle Beach, SC – Elected officers – Had blessing of World Service. Phil H – Coordinated Carolina Region North and South Carolina.- 8th registered Region in the NA Fellowship.
January 1982 Clean & Green 2nd Anniversary Celebration – First Baptist Church – Speaker was Billy B. ATL – At 2nd anniversary Linda picked up an anniversary chip (Her Story is in the NA text: A Little Girl Grows Up
January 1982 -First held Regional Meeting in Greenville, SC at Ramada Inn – Phil H. became 1st person to chair the group conscience.
June 1982 – 3rd Annual Mini Blue Ridge Convention – Asheville – WWC
January 1983 Clean & Green 3rd Anniversary Celebration – Woody M. Speaker – First Baptist Church
June 1983 – 4th Annual Mini Blue Ridge Convention – WWC –
January 1984 Clean & Green 4th Anniversary North Greenville Annex Bldg. Speaker Pat S. ATL
Dee H Chair
June 1984 – 5th Annual Mini Blue Ridge Convention Cherokee – Regional – Jim L. Chair, Dee H. program chair
January 1985 Clean & Green 5th Anniversary – Podium participation trusted servants from all areas in the Carolinas: North Greenville Annex Dee H had our first t-shirts to sell: Solid black short sleeve – used graphics from NA way magazine 3 flowers – 4 petals each to represent 12 Steps / 12 Traditions – Theme: Together We Grow.
1985: We voted on a name for our area: Neal B. “Upstate Area of NA”/ Charles B. “Piedmont Area” / Dee H. Upper South Carolina Area of Narcotics Anonymous – Voted USCANA …It is pronounced: US CAN A – We used to say:
USCANA we do it together.
June 1985: 6th Annual Blue Ridge Convention Dropped Mini in name. Dee H. Chair – Cherokee, NC – Jimmy K was asked to speak but was too sick to come.
January 1986: Dee H. Chair – 1st time other groups in area got involved to put on an area convention called USCANA. In the past Clean and
Green put on the Convention.
Convention Ramada Inn – Shirley C. Speaker ATL. Friday / Sat. Father Egan / Sunday Dee H. 3 newcomers helped put convention on. – Phil H.
June 1986: 7th Annual Blue Ridge Convention – Appalachian State University – Bob. B. Speaker
1987-97 – Region Conventions every year sponsored by other areas – Region changed name to Carolina Regional Convention
June 1998 18th Carolina Regional Convention Greenville SC – Dee H. Chair – Embassy Suites – Vito L. Main Speaker.
June 1999 19th CRC (Last Regional) Charleston, SC.
Jan 1986 – 2020 USCANA Conventions held at Ramada Inn, Holiday Inn, Embassy Suites, Hyatt, Marriot.
Jan 2021 No Convention due to Covid19