1960 Costa Rica's struggling start

"Although the Costa Rican government's Committee on Alcoholism (COA), established in 1954, had some success in treating alcoholics, the only connection to A.A. was a perfunctory reading of the Twelve Steps at meetings. After a shaky beginning in 1958, A.A. Grupo Tradicionalista No.1 - started by a small group of COA patients - becomes stable in 1959. By the summer of 1963, eight groups will be meeting countrywide and a General Service Office will open in San José."

(AAWS Inc)