Participants relax during
a session break (left), Keynote
Speaker, Victor LaCerva, M.D.,
New Mexico, Department of Health
(right), and three teens take an
active part in the conference (top).

A group of over 500 prevention specialists gathered at the St. Cloud Civic Center for the 22nd Annual Program Sharing Conference on October 2 and 3. In all, more than 80 prevention programs, 144 presenters, 8 video previews, 34 exhibitors and 370 participants comprised the conference which typically spotlights innovative prevention programs operating throughout Minnesota.

Dr. Victor LaCerva, New Mexico Department of Health, was the first keynote speaker. He spoke on ending family violence and how world peace begins at home. LaCerva stressed that finding solutions to violence can be accomplished by strengthening what is already good within ourselves, our families, our communities and our culture.

The second conference day began with a keynote panel presentation by the Andersen Family Resource Center. The panel told the story of their efforts to turn a school of 1,400 young, diverse urban children into a positive learning environment. Parents and staff spoke of the reality-based empowerment model of prevention and their opportunity to serve others through human potential development and personal growth.

Luncheon speakers included Minnesota Attorney General Hubert H. Humphrey III and Sheila Wellstone. Humphrey spoke about the pending lawsuit against the tobacco industry and addressed how the tobacco industry is targeting our youth. His passion and energy in addressing this issue were recognized with a standing ovation.

Sheila Wellstone spoke about the work she is currently doing in violence prevention. She told participants, "You are truly on the cutting edge of making family, children and communities safe." She commended all prevention specialists for working with some of the most vital issues our country has to face.

Eighty breakout sessions were available this year along with opportunities for networking and idea gathering. Many new sessions were added this year including Healthy Communities: The Anoka Consortium Experience, where the successes and struggles of the community's past year were shared. The new Kops and Kids workshop showcased a St. Paul program for teenagers and police that is designed to foster nonviolence and conflict mediation through self-awareness. Many of the workshops filled needs for local or statewide prevention strategies, other participants were more interested in networks and systems for getting their needs met.

The Internet can help fill some of those needs. Participants were able to get information about the Internet in two ways this year. A technology resource room was available for the first time where participants could "surf" the Internet and learn about prevention "hands on." In addition, a separate session was done on the basics of the Internet plus examples of helpful prevention resources on the World Wide Web. A new print piece titled, Using the Internet: A Guide to Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Resources was provided to each conference participant.

Again, as in other years, this conference is part of a tradition in the calendar year of the Minnesota prevention professional. This ever expanding gathering of people, ideas and strategies provides a unique look at Minnesota's alcohol, tobacco, other drug and violence prevention programs.

The 1997 Program Sharing Conference is scheduled for October 9-10 at the St. Cloud Civic Center.