What? More tat!

Continuing our series on the amount of 'tat' being generated by commercial interests a member sent us a link to the following article in The Fix:

Our Guide to Ridiculous Recovery Gifts

Extract:

“Wondering what to give your sponsor on her golden anniversary? May we suggest a scarlet pair of sober undies or a lifelike Bill W. bobblehead?”

“Twelve-step stores abound, both online and off, and there are shopping and gift-giving options for literally everyone besides your pals in Debtors Anonymous. While you can always Lindsay Lohan it with a pair of sassy underpants or give someone a sex addict warning T-shirt -- either because they need it or that’s just your idea of a fun joke -- there are plenty of other possibilities”

Now of course many of you might regard this merely as light-hearted fun, a bit of a giggle despite the fact that the products on offer are undeniably in the worst possible taste. Unfortunately there are rather more serious consequences following on from these merchandising enterprises which cash in on the AA name.

Firstly our detractors (not entirely unreasonably) will conclude that the manufacturers of these 'AA related products' will have entered into some kind of licensing arrangement with Alcoholics Anonymous through which the fellowship receives a percentage on sales. AA doesn't but then it doesn't look good (something which also can be said of the rubbish being sold!). We are already being confused with the 12 step treatment 'industry' which has a turnover world wide that undoubtedly runs into the billions. Again we don't make any money out of these sometimes questionable operations but the association is still established in the public's mind. Secondly the cash being spent on these products could be put to better use if it was donated (ie. an entirely “voluntary contribution”) to AA itself to be used for helping the still suffering alcoholic rather than lining the pockets of some third rate 'entrepreneur'. Already it has become a partly institutionalised practice to hand out 'chips' or medallions at some meetings to commemorate sobriety anniversaries. The money expended by groups on what can only really be regarded as a frippery could have gone towards fulfilling our primary purpose in a far more effective way. The facts are that AA in Great Britain is in decline. The current 'regular' membership stands at about 20,000 (but see *) for the entire country. The economy is in a mess (thanks to the untiring dedication of bankers toward furthering their own interests – another set of 'third rate entrepreneurs'!). Times are hard and budgets pressed! Rents are going up on premises where groups hold their meetings. Now would be a good time to re-evaluate where our priorities lie – with a shiny trinket or potentially the life of a fellow sufferer! As always the choice is ours … and the buck stops …. where?

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous … and a trinket free zone!)

* Error: this figures only refers to a sample of groups.  See here