"But unlike AA, I would never claim that what I've suggested is right for everybody. But ... let's say I had nothing better to offer: It wouldn't matter — we still need to change the system as it is because we are harming 90 percent of the people."

It is difficult to tell if those are the words of the NPR author or Lance dodes who wrote the book, but it directly contradicts your statement

"2. No one is dismissing the idea of doing 12 steps"