PDPs and CEUs are not being offered for this event.
January 13, 2026 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration: 8:30 – 9:00 am
Seminar: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Attend In Person
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School
1121 Ashley Blvd.
New Bedford, MA 02745
SpeakerS
Description
This seminar will provide participants with up-to-date, factual information on how drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, and fentanyl affect today’s youth. The landscape is increasingly complex due to evolving patterns of use, new methods of administration like vaping, and the emergence of highly potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and related substances.
The seminar will also highlight current substance use trends and underscore the critical role of prevention. Sustaining strong prevention messages, and ensuring open conversations, particularly with students, remains essential to protecting youth health and safety.
About the Speakers
Scott E. Lukas, Ph.D., (he/him) joined McLean Hospital in 1984 and is currently the Director of the McLean Imaging Center, the Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, and the McLean Sleep Diagnostic and Treatment Laboratory. He is Professor of Psychiatry (Pharmacology) at Harvard Medical School and has 42 years of experience conducting both preclinical and human laboratory studies as well as randomized clinical trials of drugs for alcohol abuse, sleep disorders, and psychiatric disorders. He has served two terms on the Board of Directors of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) and served as president from 2011-2012. He also chaired the CPDD Program Committee for 5 years, chaired the NIDA-K Study Section for 10 years and was Chair of the McLean Hospital Institutional Review Board for 4 years. He has mentored 26 NIH K Awardees and 24 postdoctoral fellows and has received numerous awards including the CPDD Mentorship Award, the Stuart Hauser Mentorship Award from Harvard Medical School, both the Ann Cataldo Mentorship and Jack H. Mendelson Research Awards from McLean Hospital and the Petra T. Shattuck Excellence in Teaching Award from Harvard University where he has been teaching a course at Harvard University entitled Psychopharmacology—Your Brain on Drugs Psychology since 1996.
Brian O’Keefe, MSCJA, (he/him) is an innovative professional with almost thirty years of leadership experience in both law enforcement and the nonprofit sector within New England. Currently serving as the first full-time Community Outreach Specialist for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) since 2021. In this role, he has been a passionate advocate for drug prevention playing a crucial role in developing partnerships with federal, state, and local stakeholders to support the DEA’s Operation Engage. His responsibilities include coordinating community outreach initiatives, managing programs such as the DEA Educational Foundation Dance Drug Prevention Initiative, and organizing the Annual Red Ribbon and Family Summit Events. He also maintains a strong social media presence to support the DEA’s mission and effectively communicate essential public safety information. Prior to his current role, Mr. O’Keefe dedicated 25 years to the Manchester Police Department (MPD), where he retired as a Captain in charge of the Community Police Division in 2021. Mr. O’Keefe holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England University (2000) and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell (1996). He has also completed executive training, including the FBI LEEDA Media and Public Relations course in 2018 and the FBI Crisis Negotiator Course in 2007.
Membership Information
Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.
PDPs and CEUs
PDPs and CEUs will not be offered for this seminar.
Event Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.
For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.
This seminar will not be recorded. Participants must attend in person. PDPs and CEUs will not be awarded.
Registration: 8:30 – 9:00 am
Seminar: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm