BETHEL, NY — The 2018 Sullivan County Opioid Use Prevention Conference, sponsored by Sullivan County Public Health Services, will be held on Wednesday, October 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Michael Nerny and Thomas Kersting, both nationally renowned speakers, will bring their expertise to Sullivan County to help explain how the developing brain can be affected by substance abuse and influence addiction. Nerny will talk about the developing adolescent brain and the effects of substance use on the brain. Kersting will speak about the impacts of technology on our children’s brains and how to reconnect with our digitally distracted kids.

Sullivan County Public Health Director Nancy McGraw will provide background information as well as an update on the current situation in Sullivan County. Martin Colavito from Catholic Charities will speak about the current prevention efforts and what efforts really work in prevention services. Frank Barone, a local resident, will tell his story of substance abuse and his road to recovery.

Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/2xljWoB; sales close September 21. For more information call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845/292-5910, ext. 0.