Global variables in autohandler

Hello,
I want to create a global variable for a database connection in my
autohandler. From what I understand there are 2 ways to allow global
variables, in the http.conf file for apache, or using use "vars
qw($dbh);" in the autohandler. I don't have access to the http.conf file
(but I can do some configurations in a .htaccess file), so I'm using the
code-based solution.

I keep getting periodic "Global symbol "$dbh" requires explicit package
name" errors on some pages that come and go. I saw a post regarding this
issue in the archives, but there wasn't a response.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks in advance.