Cuba and AA Take First Step

Havana, Jan 21 (Prensa Latina) After 13 years of spreading sobriety in Cuba, Alcoholics Anonymous can now count on more support from State sectors to save lives of people suffering from this incurable, progressive and lethal disease.

Amid thundering applause at the opening of Alcoholics Anonymous first National Convention in Cuba, Guillermo Barrientos of the Cuban Ministry of Public Health said the door is open for cooperation between the State and AA.

More than a decade in Cuba, the international self-help group has experienced prodigious growth on this island, and health authorities here are ready to extend a hand in the fight against alcoholism.

Barrientos, chief of the Operative Group for Mental Health and Addictions, said to Prensa Latina "Alcoholism transcends the level of health, and must enter other sectors like the Federation of Cuban Women, Committees for Defense of the Revolution, Federation of Universities and NGO´s like Alcoholics Anonymous."

"We started backwards," he explains, "with a public declaration, but now we must define our relationship," and cited a pending meeting with the Ministry of Justice to elaborate legal aspects. "We have to work on issues like technology, training and community integration," he said.

The hundreds of alcoholics here in recovery with AA´s 12 Step program are grateful their experience, hope and strength is being recognized.

Andy X, manager of the AA General Services Office said "It´s like a dream come true."

But as the banner said at the event, the fight against alcoholism is most important for those to come.

Prensa Latina