I received, reviewed, and liked the comments of our new president.
Particularly his stated points. As to the addition of drugs and change of
name, I concur. The "International Society..." suggestion grabs me, as I
think the "group" portion may be in need of change. As to drugs, I also
concur. You cannot attend a meeting in the AA scene today without hearing
about drugs. You cannot sponsor men and women as I have done without seeing
the concurrent use of drugs. You cannot encounter A.A.'s "singleness of
purpose" people without wondering if they are dwelling in the past instead
of the world of ice, LSD, heroin, pot, sex drugs, etc. History should cover
contemporary history as well as the 1800's. There is a distinct difference
between the growing number of religious groups that herd every type of
addict into one pen and the understanding and support that occur when
so-called "alcoholic/addicts" are grouped together because of their common
plight. In sum, please change the name so that it includes "international
society," add drugs if you will, and keep the openness which has so
characterized your group, your posts, and your membership. No moderating
censors given authority by ATGH. Let them peddle their narrow-minded
restrictive "history" in some other room. You have a fine group of sharing
scholars, and that's the way to support, serve, and grow. God Bless, Richard
G. Burns, J.D. (Dick B.)