Social Media Seminar to Promote Drug Abuse Prevention

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., and Bucks Promise for Youth & Communities invite community mobilizers, community coalition members and alcohol and drug abuse preventionists to a free, day-long social media seminar and networking session on Mon., June 27, at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland.

 “In a time when funds for prevention are under the threat of cuts, despite the substantial cost savings we know it can deliver, we want to educate people so they can use social media like facebook and Twitter to spread the message and promote their events,” said Melanie Swanson, prevention specialist with The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania.

“We surveyed prevention providers throughout Bucks County, and the topic they wanted to know most about was social media.”

“Social Media: Promoting Prevention Messages in Your Community” will feature a presentation by Laura Powers, vice president of marketing at Furia Rubel Communications, Inc. She will discuss different forms of social media, how organizations can build a social media presence and where staff should focus their energy in order to reach the right audiences and achieve their organization’s objectives. “When we are talking about preventing alcohol and drug abuse, we are targeting youth, so we have to go where they are,” Swanson said. “We have to cater to what our audience is using and reading.” The program will also offer opportunities for networking, along with a panel discussion featuring Bucks County community prevention coalitions and prevention providers, who will share their insights and highlight their successes withsocial marketing, social norm campaigns and other initiatives.

 The program will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with registration and breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. The program is free and includes breakfast and lunch. Space is limited.

 To register, email Mary Ennis at mennis@councilsepa.org. The program is made possible by the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission,Inc. through an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs.