Concern that very little impact is being made on the problem of alcoholism within Britain's black and minority ethnic communities has prompted Alcoholics Anonymous to launch a major initiative.

AA believes there are a number of reasons why it does not attract alcoholics from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and why its membership does not reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the communities in which it exists.

There continues to be widespread ignorance about alcoholism and about Alcoholics Anonymous and AA is frequently perceived as a white, religious and Christian organisation. Such mistaken attitudes may give rise to the belief within black and minority ethnic minority communities that 'while AA may be OK for them it is not for us.'

It is also possible that many doctors and other health professionals, social and community workers, prison and probation officers and employers may not refer some of their patients and clients to Alcoholics Anonymous because they think that AA is not appropriate for suffering alcoholics in the black and minority ethnic communities because of these perceived differences of culture, religion and language.

Consultations between AA volunteers and several national and local organisations and projects have contributed to the formulation of AA's strategy.

New activity now being launched by Alcoholics Anonymous includes co-operation with key organisations working with black and minority ethnic communities, a targeted media campaign, translation of AA literature and the production of new literature to help explain AA within these communities.

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in the United States in 1935, came to this country in 1947 and has over 3,500 meetings taking place every week in Britain.

Alcoholics Anonymous has a solution for the problem of alcoholism in its 12-step programme, available free to everyone who wants it. AA is not a religious programme and is not allied with any organisation.

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