The 'chit system' – a member's views – some recent correspondence

“Hi Fellas, 

As far as I'm concerned the practice of issuing 'chits' as evidence of attendance at AA meetings (provided for the benefit of the probation service) is a fundamental breach of traditions (as has been argued on the site) – specifically Tradition 10 (long form). 

“No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues-particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views whatever." 

The judicial system is an “outside organisation”, The policy of compelling people to attend AA meetings is certainly a controversial issue. It may be government policy (mediated via the courts) to employ such measures as part of a strategy to tackle criminal/anti-social conduct associated with alcohol abuse. That is their business. However co-operating with such 'organisations' does not include participating in their administrative systems especially where there is no requirement for this paper work to be completed otherwise. Indeed such participation represents a literal 'endorsement' of a government policy (which is directly excluded by the above tradition). 

There is already evidence (mostly from the US) that court mandated attendance is causing AA problems (again referred to on the site). Some people are being directed to AA who do not suffer from alcoholism as such. They may have an acute as opposed to a chronic problem which means that our particular remedy is entirely inappropriate. Moreover the element of (judicial) compulsion associated with their attendance leads in some cases to disruption to meetings. These individuals are by definition unwilling to be in AA let alone deal with their problem; this operates to the detriment of those who are otherwise 'willing' participants. Additionally there is some evidence of fraud being encouraged by this system with some AA members being prepared to sign the chit either to get rid of troublesome attendees or, in at least one case, in exchange for money. 

There is absolutely nothing about the 'chit' system which operates either to the advantage of AA generally or the individual particularly (indeed in the latter case it creates a two-tier membership – those who need and those who don't need their attendance recorded). 

Finally the courts may be tempted to use AA as a kind of 'dumping ground' for all kinds of problems even when these are only tenuously related to alcohol. The dangers of this approach should be obvious to anybody who has given the matter some thought.” 

Comment: Think on that! 

Cheerio 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous) 

PS Our usual thanks to our correspondent