St. Luke's is planning a drug prevention seminar as part of its adopt-a-school program in the Panther Valley School District.

"HOPE: Heroin and Opioid Prevention Education" will be held Dec. 8 at the Panther Valley Junior/Senior High School Auditorium.The event runs from 6:30-8 p.m.The HOPE program, created by the nonprofit Center for Humanistic Change, is an education program developed in response to the heroin and opioid epidemic.The program will identify exactly what heroin and opioids are, the signs and symptoms of opiate use, the effects of use on health and relationships, local resources and how to get help, according to the event's organizers. It stresses that there is no typical user of heroin and opioids.Due to the sensitive subject matter, the program is not recommended for young children. However, child care will be available at the event.Light refreshments will also be provided.The event is presented by the St. Luke's Miners/Panther Valley Adopt A School Program in collaboration with STEP Up Carbon, STEP Up Tamaqua, Safer Streets for Tamaqua's Little Feet, and The Carbon Monroe Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission.CHC, based in Allentown, is a nonprofit providing prevention education (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) and life skills training focusing on decision making for healthy choices.St. Luke's Adopt-A-School program is an initiative where community partners and the school district (including students and families) work together in promoting healthy living initiatives, chronic disease prevention, connecting students and families to medical, dental, mental health, substance abuse prevention and programs and leadership opportunities for any interested students and families.For more information, visit

www.panthervalley.org/adopt-a-school.