July 17, 2023, Durham, NC – iRT Senior Research Scientist Dr. Janis Kupersmidt will lead an interactive workshop at the National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 17, 2023, to discuss iRT’s research on the use of evidence-based media literacy education programs and strategies to prevent or reduce substance abuse.

The NPN Conference hosts prevention professionals, coalition leaders, researchers, and federal partners annually to highlight recent research and best practices in the substance abuse prevention field. The theme of the 2023 session is “Advancing Prevention Science Through the Lens of Change: How Sweet It Is!”

Dr. Kupersmidt will present alongside Sara Harrell, Supervisor for the Prevention and Training Branch of the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, in a session entitled Evidence-Based Media Literacy Programs to Prevent Substance Abuse: Examples of Program Implementation and Expansion in Rural Communities. Kupersmidt and Harrell will discuss the prevalence of youth exposure to media and pro-substance messages, as well as the use of media literacy education as a strategy to prevent or reduce substance abuse. Session attendees will have the opportunity to learn about media literacy and its relationship to substance abuse, participate in media literacy skill-building activities, and discuss future directions for media literacy education research.

In addition, the session will provide an overview of one of iRT’s media literacy education programs, Media World, which is designed to help high school youth build critical thinking skills, detect and deconstruct harmful media messages, and produce healthy media messages. Kupersmidt and Harrel will share findings from the implementation of Media World in a rural island community in Guam.

Prevention Central, a division of iRT, will also present an exhibitor booth at the NPN Conference to speak with conference attendees and showcase iRT’s various media literacy education, safe driving, sexual and relationship health, and mindfulness education programs.

To register for the 2023 NPN Conference and attend the interactive workshop, visit http://npnconference.org/.