Editorial:

ALCOHOLICS Anonymous is 14 years old. Yet no one thinks we are just entering adolescence. On the contrary, we are approaching maturity. Therefore our problems and responsibilities as a society are on the increase. It is becoming clear we cannot be forever immune from the fearful pressures that are tearing modern society apart. Like other societies of men and women, we shall no doubt be tempted to enter upon serious controversies. Perhaps some of us will seek fame and fortune at the expense of Alcoholics Anonymous. We shall be tempted to attack those who attack us; we shall yearn for alliances with powerful friends; we shall wish to write laws and so enter politics. It will be difficult to remain neutral in the science versus religion conflict; some might wish to see AA divide on sectarian lines. And, as we become better known, we shall certainly be offered large grants of destruction in the form of money; we might forget our resolve to stay poor. These may well be the crucial problems of our maturity; even now one sees their outlines.