Drug Abuse Prevention Training Offered
Diocesan Press Service. April 24, 1973 [73104]
BOSTON, Mass. -- Four major regional conferences designed to train joint teams of clergy and lay persons in the prevention of drug-related problems, including alcohol abuse, have been announced for 1973-1974.
The eight-day institutes, each in a different section of the nation, are planned, sponsored, and directed by the North Conway Institute, with major funding by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.
A unique feature of these four training events is that the team members, composed of lay persons and clergy, are asked to make a two-year commitment to work as a unit within their churches, communities and social institutions, including the family, to prevent misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Developing local structures, financial management, education programs, healing service, referrals and followup, involving congregations, and refining knowledge of the political process are projected as specific goals.
"Our emphasis is on prevention-education, not pastoral care or therapy," declares the Rev. David A. Works, N.C.I. executive Vice President and an Episcopal priest. "Within each conference area we will carefully recruit participants from religious councils and congregations that are concerned with prevention of drug-related problems, including alcohol abuse. "
Plans call for four-to-seven person teams to be prepared at each conference to plan and implement church and synagogue-related programs within their own communities. Curricular will consist of workshops on community development, designing religious and secular community action and education programs, management and accountability systems for implementing programs, as well as briefings on the drugs themselves, including alcohol.
The first conference is scheduled for the New England area, and will be held June 17-23, 1973, at the Oblate Fathers' Retreat House, Hudson, N.H., The succeeding conferences will be Mid-Atlantic (Princeton, N.J. ), Nov. 1-8, 1973; region to be announced Jan. 31-Feb. 7, 1974; and Midwest, April 25-May 2, 1974.