Cape Girardeau and Scott City each sent five representatives to a "Community Team Training For Substance Abuse Prevention" workshop in Columbia.

The training was held June 21-26 at the Ramada Inn, with the purpose of teaching school and community teams principles in preventing alcohol and other drug abuse; to teach teams more about the effects of different types of drugs on the body; and to help each team come up with a plan they can implement in their communities

The training is sponsored by the Missouri Division of Highway Safety and the Missouri Safety Center at Central Missouri State University.

Members of the Cape Girardeau team were Ann Freeman, Jean Hillman, Nick Meyer, Fred Pennington and Deb Ramsey.

Representatives of Scott City included Jan Davis, Liz Farmer, Bob Knight, Bonnie Miller and Teresa Raines.

Since the program began in 1988, 96 teams have been trained, including the 13 that attended this year's conference.

"It's so exciting to meet all of these caring, dedicated people," said Vicky Williams, program specialist for the Missouri Division of Highway Safety and conference co-coordinator. "After working from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day for five days, you really get to know and care about each other.

"That is part of what makes this program unique and effective," she said. "Everyone has a chance to share their ideas and concerns."

Gary Lowe, program development specialist for the Missouri Safety Center and conference co-coordinator, said: "We at the Safety Center have stayed in touch with the past teams we have trained, and the work they are doing is proof that this program is effective."