November 13, 2024
Dear Hossein,
First, let me say that I was deeply moved by the photos and video of the university that you shared with me. I am in awe of the speed at which progress is being made on the construction. Seeing those images is like watching a dream or vision become real through concrete, marble and glass. The craftsmanship is absolutely beautiful. And to see some rooms completed with furnishings makes the dream so real. All I can think about is how those rooms could change the future of addiction treatment and recovery through the lives that will be elevated by what they learn there.
I can’t imagine the task of grading all of those exams and all those members of Congress 60 eagerly awaiting the results. It is a testament to the strength of the Congress 60 recovery culture that this task gets larger each year as the number of Guides and Co-Guides continues to grow. And the same could be said for the financial legions and the success of “Golrizan Week.” Congress 60’s financial independence is one more dimension that makes Congress 60 unique among addiction treatment and recovery support resources. I have witnessed many organizations losing their way over the years due to the influence of outside funding sources. You have found a way to prevent that through your self-sufficiency.
I regret that the publication of the four papers you mentioned will be delayed. The time from submission of research to publication seems to be getting longer and longer. Even what is considered the “latest” research released to the public is far older than readers would suspect. The slowness of such publication makes it difficult for governments and NGOs to respond quickly to changing drug trends or other things that require decisive action.
Thank you for your continued responses to questions we are sending related to our latest project collaboration. The information you are sharing is helping me add the details you are providing in each email into the draft of the profile of Congress 60. From your lates email, I was able to add details related to the drug testing used within Congress 60 into the latest draft.
Your responses are also helping Dr. Sarapas determine the type of data analysis we may be able to do comparing the Congress 60 and U.S. treatment samples. The further we get into this latest project, the greater I judge to be its potential importance. This feels like a way that each member of Congress 60 can extoll their hope and experience to the world. My hope is that each Congress 60 member may experience what their resurrection could mean for so many others around the world. It is our job to share that story in forums that can make a difference.
Given the length of the paper that is emerging, we may divide it into two papers—one the updated profile and one the profile comparison. I am also doing a separate literature search on retention in medication-assisted treatment of opioid addiction and am hoping we will be able to provide a detailed comparison of OT retention with the DST method compared to usual retention rates for methadone and buprenorphine. The high rate of and speed of attrition with the latter two contributes to the high rate of opioid use disorder following discontinuation of medication support.
As the paper progresses I will continue to send along questions for you to respond to and appreciate your continued responsiveness to these questions.
Please extend my warmest regards to your family and to all members of Congress 60.
Friends and Brothers Forever