Coalitions Connect 2008

AHS-AADAC was pleased to host the fourth annual Alberta Drug Strategy Coalitions Connect 2008 networking event on October 29th and 30th. A total of 175 people representing over 57 different community drug and tobacco coalitions attended the conference this year. An important goal of the event was to provide an opportunity for coalitions to network and share their experiences, challenges and new ideas. And that was exactly what took place through the Open Space discussion groups, the inspiring keynote presentation and the eight different breakout sessions offered.

For those who attended the conference, as well as the community groups that were unable to, we've captured some of the highlights of the discussions and sessions on this webpage. Also posted are many of the session presentations that were heard. Simply follow the links on the agenda below and you'll get a great idea of what was covered and where to go for more information.

Wednesday, October 29
1:00 pm	Welcome and Opening Remarks
1:15-2:45 pm	Keynote Address: Dr. Jeff Linkinbach The Science of the Positive: Joining Spirit, Science and Action for Community Transformation
2:45-3:00 pm	Break
3:00-5:00 pm	Open Space: self directed discussion forum
5:45-7:00 pm	Dinner
7:00-9:00 pm	Keynote Address (continued)
Thursday, October 30
8:15 am	Welcome
8:20-8:40 am	Kids and Drugs Program Launch
8:45-10:15 am	Breakout Session #1
10:15-10:30 am	Break
10:30-12:00 pm	Breakout Session #2
12:00-1:00 pm	Conference Close and Lunch

 

Kids and Drugs Program Launch

The Science of the Positive: Joining Spirit, Science and Action for Community Transformation

Dr. Jeff Linkinbach

According to Dr. Linkenbach’s model of the Science of the Positive™ -- we must balance the three domains of Spirit, Science and Action in order to be most effective in our prevention work. The last few decades have been characterized by the effective integration of science and action in prevention programs. Joined together these two domains provide critical tools for measuring changes in community alcohol, tobacco and drug norms. And, while such change is good, it alone is insufficient. In addition to change, we need to focus the deeper processes of transformation. By joining spirit, science and action, prevention leaders focus on both change and transformation as a way of growing and measuring positive community norms.

In the second half of his session, Dr. Linkenbach walked through the seven-step process of the Montana Model of Social Norms Marketing. Some examples of successful social norms marketing campaigns in other jurisdictions were highlighted.

For more information on the Science of the Positive™ and Social Norms Marketing, see Jeff’s website at: http://www.mostofus.org/