Dear Hossein,
Your decision 17 months ago to require that those who wished to serve within Congress 60 to stop smoking was a courageous act that will be an important milestone in the history of Congress 60. I hope we reach a point in the U.S. when this will be a requirement for anyone wishing to serve in the role of an addictions counselor or a recovery coach. And what good news regarding Drs. Daneshmand and Ali on their smoking cessation progress. The ripples from Congress 60 are rapidly spreading outward.
I think the two articles on Congress 60 that are about to be published will do a great deal to introduce Congress 60 and the DST method in the U.S. and other countries. I received notice over the weekend that the first of our articles is now in press and should be out in the coming weeks.
I found your report on the use of the DST method to enhance retention in methadone programs to be of great interest. There is controversy in the U.S. and U.K about patients remaining on methadone too long, but the reality is that many patients drop out too soon before their recovery is fully stabilized. I think the ability of the DST method to prevent such early exit from treatment is one of its many benefits.
I look forward to receiving the photos that will be able to accompany the article on Congress 60 I am writing for the journal, Counselor. Our first two articles will reach the scientific and medical community, but the Counselor article will reach more than 20,000 addiction counselors who I think will be very interested in the recovery support methods used in Congress 60. The Counselor article is not due until September so we have some time to carefully select the photos that will help us visually convey the Congress 60 story.
The recovery advocacy movement seems to be growing internationally. I received communications just this week from new groups in Canada and Ireland seeking guidance on how they can elevate the visibility of recovery in their countries and increase the recovery support resources available to their citizens. I see what you are doing in Iran as an important source of inspiration for this international movement.
As always, please extend my warmest regards and best wishes to the members of the Legion that bears my name.
Friends and Brothers Forever,
Bill