Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jul 2000
Source: Morning Call (PA)
Copyright: 2000 The Morning Call Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mcall.com/

DRUGS, VIOLENCE ON AGENDA

5-day conference in Fogelsville will discuss role of parents, schools
and the law in prevention of abuse.

A five-day conference on the prevention of violence and drug abuse,
featuring top national and local experts, will begin Aug. 7 at the
Holiday Inn Conference Center in Fogelsville.

The conference, "Stop the Drugs and Violence," will feature speakers
such as Victor De Noble, the scientist who blew the whistle on the
cigarette industry.

De Noble will talk about nicotine addiction and cigarette
manufacturers' attempts to keep smokers addicted. Philip Morris
recruited De Noble to develop a safer cigarette, but later seized his
lab and fired him. De Noble became a key witness in the federal
government's case against the tobacco industry.

Keynote speaker John K. Rosemond, a child psychologist who writes a
syndicated newspaper column that appears in The Morning Call, will
talk about parenthood and the importance of discipline. Rosemond will
give a workshop for parents of problem students.

More than 200 people across the state have signed up so far, and more
are expected, said Dean Wilson, conference chairman for the
Pennsylvania DARE Officers Association. Wilson is a Bethlehem Township
police officer.

DARE is Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

Wilson helped develop this year's conference with an eye toward depth
and variety. The conference will draw experts from numerous fields,
including education, justice, law enforcement, and mental and physical
health care. Parents and community members are invited.

Other topics that will be covered include violence in the workplace
and schools; domestic and dating abuse; gangs; adolescent substance
abuse; and drug use in sports.

A concert for children will be presented at 1 p.m., August. 7th.

The conference will run Aug. 7-11. The Holiday Inn Conference Center
is at Interstate 78 and Route 100 South.

Registration is still open and conference packages are available. Call
Wilson at 610-814-6418 or check the conference Web site:
www.bethlehemtwp.com. 
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