SOUTH PARIS — Western Maine Health and the Substance Abuse Conference Committee of Healthy Oxford Hills at Stephens Memorial Hospital will host a day-long conference, Basics of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction: Disease, Treatment and Recovery, on Friday, Dec. 3. The ninth annual conference is an effort to reach many different members of the community with valuable information regarding substance abuse.

The conference is open to anyone and is general enough for employers, human resource directors, educators, substance abuse counselors, law enforcement and judicial personnel, physicians, nurses, clergy, social service workers, guidance counselors, parents, people in recovery and family members and friends affected by drinking and drugging and others wanting to know more about alcohol and drug addictions.

Dr. Mark Publicker, medical director at Mercy Recovery Center in Westbrook, will be the keynote speaker on the disease concept of alcoholism and drug addiction. Other scheduled speakers include Christine Theriault, of the Maine Office of Substance Abuse; William Stockwell, chair of the committee and the featured speaker; Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant; and Chris Davis, tobacco prevention coordinator at Healthy Oxford Hills.

There will be anonymous presentations about recovery and the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al Anon and Narcotics Anonymous and presentations by local substance abuse counselors with ample time for questions.

The Oxford Hills Project Aware Players will also make a presentation by local students, under the guidance of Katey Branch.

The event will be held in the First Congregational Church, 17 East Main St. in South Paris, and will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local service providers will be exhibiting and free literature will be available.

The cost of the conference is $12 each person and includes lunch. Scholarships are available upon request. Seating is limited to 60 and preregistration is encouraged. Call Jennifer Raudonis at 739-2644 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.