The Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC) committee met on Saturday morning at 9:45 am. We opened the meeting with the Serenity Prayer. There were 25 attendees (10 online)
The first item of discussion was the new QR code. Thanks was expressed to Lynda H., Tech Chair for creating and sharing the code which links professionals to the “For Professionals” page on the Area 46 website. Lynda also offered to create a code which would link directly to the form on that page, for professionals to request a presentation.
The next topic was related to an additional appendix in the 5th edition Big Book. Jaclyn S. is the Community Outreach Chair for the Albuquerque Central Office, and a member of the PI & CPC Working Group. She presented a motion that the working group will make to be considered on the agenda at the 2025 General Service Conference. The motion proposes an additional appendix to the 5th edition of the Big Book titled, “Does AA Work, A Professional’s View for the 21st Century which would feature strong scientific evidence validating the therapeutic effectiveness of the AA program in helping chronic alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety. We further propose that this professional view be written by Dr’s John F. Kelly and Keith Humphreys.”
Jaclyn explained that the medical opinions in the Big Book are from the 1930s and 1940s, and are not scientifically based. The proposed appendix would be based on the 2020 scientific studies conducted by Harvard University, Stanford University, and the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addictions titled “Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work?” The study received approval by the Cochrane Consortium.
Committee members expressed their support for the motion. There was some discussion of perhaps producing a separate pamphlet with the scientific study for professionals, in addition to the new appendix.
A member suggested that the CPC Committee make a motion this weekend, endorsing the working group’s motion since the proposed agenda item cutoff date is September 30th and this would be the last opportunity for the Assembly to decide before then. The motion was made and seconded. The motion was unanimously approved by the Committee.
Jaclyn S. had samples of CPC business cards with the Central Office contact information and QR codes. Outreach members have been giving them out to EMS, Police Assistance, as well as doctors and nurses. Very inexpensive way to get information out to the public. They have also printed up bright yellow flyers to put on bulletin boards in restaurants, community centers, etc. She reported on the “Tell Your Doctor” Program. AA members can take a small packet when they visit their doctors. The packet contains the business card, a pamphlet for the health care professional, and “An Open Letter to Health Care Professionals.” Also included are a list of instructions for the AA member on how to approach their doctor and the personal information to share with them.
We closed the meeting with the Responsibility Statement.
Gratefully submitted,
Paula Stevens, Chair
Area 46 CPC Committee