Dauphin County Virtual Addictions Conference May 11-12 Tackles Pandemic Challenges, Evolving World of Social Media

Addictions Conference 2021

Dauphin County’s annual Addictions Conference will focus on social distancing’s impact on substance and gambling dependency and how social media continues to present risks to adolescents.

Those topics will be covered during the two-day, virtual event presented by Dauphin County and Penn State Harrisburg on May 11 and May 12.

Registration for the Zoom event, Social Connectedness in the Atmosphere of Social Distancing, is available now at https://harrisburg.psu.edu/dauphin-county-addictions-conference-2021.

“The ongoing pandemic has altered and impacted our daily lives, and that includes for people and families struggling with addiction issues,” Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick III said. “Challenges and trends attached to addiction are constantly changing.”

Some workshop topics are:

  • Recovery and Social Isolation
  • Gambling, gaming, and COVID-19
  • Youth, technology, social media, and mental health
  • Department of Drug and Alcohol programs overview
  • Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol programs overview
  • Criminal Justice Advisory Board
  • Current drug trends
  • Opioid-related stigma

“During a year when many of us remained separated and socially distanced to do our part in the battle against the disease of COVID-19, the disease of addiction in its multiple forms continued to effect the lives of our neighbors, families, and friends,” Pollock Center Director Dr. Weston Kensinger said. “By connecting with peers and engaging with additional professionals and experts in the field through this conference, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about current drug usage patterns, the enhanced county and state response, and the unique challenges and solutions brought forth by the pandemic.”

Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services will present a workshop on each day.

“Our response to the addiction crisis cannot remain the same if we expect positive results,” County Commissioner Chair Jeff Haste said. “This series of workshops provides the tools to continue the collaborative efforts to combat addiction.”

Throughout the conference, attendees can select the workshops they wish to attend.

“We expect engaging and well-informed presenters to tackle the unique challenges presented by COVID-19,” Commissioner Mike Pries said.

Anyone who needs help with substance abuse can call 717-635-2254 or find resources at DauphinCounty.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambright@dauphinc.org.