Dr. Annette M. David (Technical Consultant, Tobacco Control) and Mr. Peter J. Cruz (Tobacco Cessation Counselor) of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHSA) conducted a highly successful training workshop on "Brief Interventions for Tobacco Cessation" for members of CNMI's Department of Public Health Community Guidance Center, 27-28 September, in Saipan, CNMI.  Dr. David and Mr. Cruz also made separate presentations regarding Guam's progress in tobacco control at the CNMI's annual Substance Abuse Prevention and Training Conference on September 29.  They were accompanied by Mr. James Rarick, Cancer Information Services-Hawaii, who spoke on health system changes critical for successful cessation programs.  Our Micronesian neighbors, the Federated States of Micronesia and CNMI, are increasingly turning to Guam's DMHSA as a regional resource for training and technical assistance in tobacco control, based on DMHSA's pioneering efforts to address nicotine addiction.

Shown in the photo, from left to right:
Reyna Malone (CNMI Tobacco Control Program Coordinator), Mr. Joseph Kevin Villagomez (CNMI Secretary of Health), Ms. Josephine Sablan (Director, CNMI Mental Health and Substance Abuse), Mr. Peter Cruz (DMHSA), Dr. David (DMHSA), Mr. James Rarick (CIS-Hawaii).

Ms. Remy Malig (Program Coordinator, DMHSA) and Mr. George Cruz (License Supervisor, Department of Revenue and Taxation) represented Guam at the 8th National Synar Technical Assistance Workshop in Gaithersburg, Maryland on September 14-15, 2006.  This year's workshop celebrated "10 years of progress in reducing youth access to tobacco." At the conference, Ms. Malig and Mr. Cruz showcased Guam's efforts in ensuring compliance to the law that prohibits tobacco sales to minors through a poster and table display.  Guam has surpassed the federal target for compliance to this law since 2003.

Shown in photo:  Ms. Malig, Mr. Cruz

The American Legacy Foundation held a 3-day planning meeting with representatives from all the Micronesia Islands, including American Samoa. The meeting was held on May 21-23, 2007 at the Westin Resort & Spa. The purpose of this meeting was to prepare for the April 2008 Tobacco in the Pacific Island Conference.

American Legacy is one of the nation's top advocacy groups against tobacco. Their motto is "Building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit."