Penn State Extension will present a free, four-part webinar series to help community members, families and professionals address substance use in rural communities, support youth well-being and learn strategies for assisting individuals affected by substance use disorder or opioid use disorder.
Titled the “Substance Use Education Series,” the program will be moderated by Kristina Brant, assistant professor of rural sociology in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Each session will feature an expert speaker and focus on a specific aspect of substance use prevention, treatment or harm reduction.
Penn State Extension will offer these webinars at no charge, but registration is required to receive the link to access each webinar. The series will be held annually, with four different webinars offered each year.
The webinars, all scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., will include:
Uncovering Substance Use Patterns Among Farmers. Alexander Chan will discuss research on substance use among farmers and farm workers. Participants can learn how substance use patterns vary within the agricultural workforce and explore public health strategies aimed at reducing the effects of substance misuse in agricultural communities. Shan is a licensed marriage and family therapist and family and consumer sciences specialist at University of Maryland Extension. Thursday, Aug. 28. Register here.
Prevention Starts with Us: How Adults Can Make a Difference. Karen Orner will share practical tools for parents, grandparents, educators and other caring adults to talk with young people about substance use. The session will highlight prevention strategies making an impact in Pennsylvania schools. Orner is the drug and alcohol prevention supervisor at the Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission. Friday, Nov. 7. Register here.
An Introduction to Harm Reduction in Pennsylvania. Barbara Vanaskie will explain harm-reduction principles, tools to prevent overdose and ways individuals can support loved ones. The webinar also will spotlight harm-reduction efforts underway in Lycoming and Clinton counties. Vanaski is special projects manager at West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Register here.
Opioid Use Disorders: Treatments and Challenges. Sarah Kawasaki will discuss treatment options for opioid use disorder, the impact of fentanyl in the illicit opioid supply, and barriers to accessing care. Kawasak is associate professor in the Department of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Penn State College of Medicine. Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Register here.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu….
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