Drugs
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For two years, due to the pandemic, the discussion groups met via videoconference. On Thursday, members of Narcotics Anonymous held their first meeting wearing virtual reality headsets.
There were a few delays, then bugs, microphones that we forget to turn on or off, but in the end everyone managed to be present. There, arranged around a large table nestled on a mezzanine, facing a bay window overlooking a loft-style living room in Manhattan. We can interact with them, see them, hear them, but these members of Narcotics Anonymous are each at home, some in their living rooms, others on their beds. They are nine to participate in this first meeting in augmented reality and Liberated, like other media, was invited to attend.
They are called, or call themselves, Elise, Lola, Caroline, Rabah, Lana, Caroline, Alex, Raf or even Fred. All anonymous and former drug users. After two years spent on Zoom in videoconference, they wanted to discover another way to meet. According to the organizers, this experience intends to complete the speaking work done within the association.
To be able to be present in this virtual space on Thursday evening, only one tool is necessary: the Oculus, a virtual reality headset. After receiving the meeting invite, we are teleported to a large synthesis apartment. Helmet screwed on the head, levers in hand, we move to stall in a corner of the room, without disturbing. Welcome to a meeting of Narcotics Anonymous in…