Consolidated as one of the largest drug addiction events in the world, the 5th Freemind International Congress gathered around 1,500 people between September 19-22, 2018. Important experts from Brazil and the world in drug prevention, treatment and recovery, participated in lectures and panels of enriching content, were 10 international and 70 national speakers.
The event discussed drug prevention based on science at the Convention Center, in Campos do Jordão, São Paulo, Brazil. At the opening of the Congress Frederico Guidoni Scaranello, mayor of Campos do Jordão, welcomed the attendees. "It is an honor to welcome you here today, this subject is of utmost importance to us," he said at the time.
1,200 people gathered for an opening and launching campaign of the ISSUP National Chapter in Brazil. Dr. João Luís Pinto Coelho Martins de Oliveira, Executive Secretary for Drug Policy in Brazil; Dr. João Paulo Becker Lotufo; Dr. Valentim Gentil; Luis Roberto Sdoia, president of the Padre Haroldo Institute Foundation; Dr. Mario Sergio Sobrinho, prosecutor of the MPSP; Dr. Fabio Rodrigues Franco Lima, promoter of Justice of São José dos Campos; Dr. Mariano Montenegro of Chile; Dr. Louis Ganem; Dr. Kimberly A. Johnson; Dr. Richard Gakunju, Dr. William Crano; Dr. José Angel Prado and Clemente Abella Jr. were also present.
People also attended the Opening Lecture by Dr. Augusto Cury on "Emotional Education, a Fundamental Foundation in Prevention and a Challenge to Parents and Teachers". "To be happy is to leave the problems and become the author of their own history," Cury concluded, thrilled the participants.
During the 4 days of the event, congress participants were able to attend various lectures, such as: Prevention in Universities, Alcohol and Drug Concern in Public schools, Experience of habitual pregnant women, Spirituality, The truth about medical marijuana, Childhood prevention, chat with international speakers, Impact of drugs on the World Economy, Drugs and violence, and more. The auditorium of FEBRACT (Brazilian Federation of Therapeutic Communities) brought the theme of communities to the public and other professionals in the area.
Activities
Those who participated in the 5th Freemind Congress had the opportunity to attend activities and artistic interventions every day. The Company Ru'Art group thrilled everyone with a performance expressing the demons of a drug user from the perspective of young, peripheral and street. They carry out drug prevention work with children and adolescents in schools, something very important because many young people do not have access to culture and art. The CIDAH - Dom Adriano Hipólito Cultural Center, encouraged everyone with Batuca and the dance of the members. On the last day, the two groups came together and made an unforgettable performance.
The Congress in numbers:
- 1,500 participants
- 292 cities
- 26 states
- 70 national speakers
- 10 international speakers
- 25 exhibitors
- 240 hours of International Training in Prevention
- 29 hours of lectures
- 47 hours of thematic panels
- 20 hours of playful activities on prevention
