A Word From the Founder Dear Friends & Colleagues: The Advocates for the Integration of Recovery and Methadone (AFIRM) began as a grass roots patient and health provider advocacy organization and continues today to focus on the basic needs and rights of both groups. Fredrick W. Christie, CEO MA, CASAC We are a not-for-profit 501(c)3 national advocacy organization that continues to receive support and encouragement from a number of public and private agencies: the Committee of Methadone Program Administrators, Inc. of New York State (COMPA), New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), The Drug Policy Foundation, the National Hepatitis C Advocacy Council (NHCAC), the Hepatitis C Association, Inc., and the National Aids Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP). Our Mission is to support methadone as an effective tool of recovery that can be enhanced through the integration of other treatment approaches. We promote the development of Methadone Anonymous (MA) and other 12-step fellowships, as well as clinical treatment alternatives, such as incorporating spirituality and Stage Change modalities into traditional treatment settings. Our research and development component conducts research outcomes to verify the legitimacy of our treatment approach. Our newest advocacy project for 2004 was to create Hepatitis C Organization for Prevention & Education (HOPE). We invited several advocacy groups from the CSAT Patient Support and Community Education Project (PSCEP) to join with us, thus representing methadone patients throughout the world who suffer from this disease. HOPE's mission includes the opiate addicted who are at risk and not in medicated assisted treatment (MAT); those currently in treatment and not diagnosed; and those diagnosed who require education in order to make informed medical decisions. Our mission also includes ensuring that health practitioners and methadone clinic staff are well schooled in the art of holistic and humane treatment, aware of the most current research, and proactive in their efforts to diagnose and offer treatment. Our Advisory Panel and "Friends of HOPE" form a team that offers us support and direction in our fight against HCV. During the past and recent 2004 AATOD Conferences, as well as Regional and State events, we continue to collaborate with our advocacy colleagues, health providers, and other interested parties to do the good work. In addition, our support of Methadone Anonymous (MA) has borne exciting results with the growth and development of many new meetings in the U.S. and abroad, as well as the integration of spirituality into methadone treatment modalities. We are truly in each others debt and are grateful to be part of the growing community that is in service to the addicted and the recovery process. Frederick W. Christie, MA, CASAC Founder & CEO

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