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Origin of “I am Responsible…?”

The Responsibility Declaration was written by Al S., a former Grapevine editor and trustee of Alcoholics Anonymous for the 1965 International Convention held in Toronto. Bill W. expanded on the theme in an essay called "Responsibility Is Our Theme" for the July 1965 Grapevine. It became a regular feature of the Grapevine shortly thereafter.

The Responsibility Declaration: "I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible."

This goes hand in hand with the Fifth Tradition. The long form says "Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose — that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers."