Workshop series, starting Dec. 8, aims to equip rural faith leaders to help people with substance-use disorder

The Office of National Drug Control Policy is launching a series of four virtual workshops meant to equip rural faith leaders with information and resources to help people in their communities with substance use disorder. The first workshop, "Substance Use Disorder and the Pandemic in Rural Communities," will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET Dec. 8

The main objectives of the series include:

• Increasing faith leaders’ understanding of substance use disorder (SUD) and how to connect faith to prevention, treatment, and recovery.
• Building capacity of faith leaders to take action by providing information to prepare and ready leaders and their congregants to provide the support needed to assist individuals with substance use disorder.
• Helping faith leaders to find their lane and empower faith communities to put initiatives in place to help in the area(s) where they can make the most difference.

Click here for more information about the webinar series or for information about how to RSVP.

In related news, the Rural Health Information Hub has updated its Rural Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Toolkit, which aims to help organizations and communities develop and execute prevention and treatment programs.