EUGENE–Social health issues of trauma, addiction, attachment disorder and alternative highs are the focus for five conferences organized by the University of Oregon Substance Abuse Prevention Program in October. All will take place from 8 a.m.—4:50 p.m. in Room 150 of Columbia Hall, 1215 E. 13th Ave. on the UO campus.

"Sexual Addiction" will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, and "Trauma Survivors" is set on Sunday, Oct. 25. Keynote presenter for the conferences will be Deborah Franek, the only known survivor of serial killer Theodore "Ted" Bundy and a specialist in trauma resolution therapy. On Saturday, Franek will discuss sexual addictions and deviancy, including the newest form of sexual addiction: Internet and Web chat rooms. The Sunday conference will focus on recognizing symptoms of trauma and strategies for healing families and survivors.

"Addiction and Kids," on Saturday, Oct. 10, will examine the motivation for alcohol and drug use by youth and will explore the various treatment programs available. Addiction counselor and consultant Jay Wurscher from Multnomah County will present the conference.

"Attachment Disorder" is slated for Saturday, Oct. 31, with adjunct instructor Judy Vergamini presenting material about children’s connection to this disorder. It will include the social and emotional causes of attachment and approaches to help sufferers.

"Alternative Highs" is set for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17—18. This conference will feature aspects of leisure education and behavior that improve mental, physical and spiritual well-being. It also will include topical discussions of adaptive sports, social skills development, and natural and spiritual healing. Speakers include Brenda Robertson, a professor at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada, and a recognized expert in applied leisure studies; Charlene Shannon, a Ph.D. candidate in the field of applied leisure studies; and Frank Merrill, director of the Native American Program at Lane Community College.

These weekend conferences offer college credit–one unit for the one-day conferences and two units for the two-day conference–to graduate and undergraduate UO students who attend all sessions and complete all assignments, final examinations or projects. Community professionals and others also are welcome, with certificates available that serve as proof of attendance for application toward professional development hours or for re-certification purposes.

Registration for the one-day conferences is $35 and registration for the two-day conference "Alternative Highs" is $80. Early registration is encouraged.

For information, browse <http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~kwiant/index.html> or call Karen Wiant, UO Substance Abuse Prevention Program education coordinator, (541) 346-4136.

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