Collaboration Forum: Real Talk About Fake Pills Educator Training & How We Address Frequently Asked Fentanyl Questions

Thursday, September 11, 2025

12:00pm-1:00pm PT/3:00pm-4:00pm ET

Guest Speakers:

• Jessica Colvin, MSW, MPH, PPSC, SWELL Founder will present Real Talk About Fake Pills Educator Training

• Ed Ternan, Song for Charlie Co-Founder will present How We Address Frequently Asked Fentanyl Questions

Presentation will be recorded and sent to all who RSVP to this virtual event.

Session Descriptions

• Real Talk About Fake Pills Educator Training: Join us for a comprehensive walkthrough of Song for Charlie's turnkey student education program that's already reaching hundreds of thousands of middle and high school students nationwide. Jessica will demonstrate the complete educator package—from our 20-minute film to discussion guides, classroom activities, and peer-to-peer resources. Whether you're planning implementation in schools, community groups, faith organizations, or youth clubs, you'll leave with everything you need to bring this lifesaving education to your students. We'll cover best practices for facilitating post-film discussions, addressing student questions, and extending learning beyond the classroom.

• How We Address Frequently Asked Fentanyl Questions: "Can fentanyl show up in weed?" If you've done fentanyl education presentations, you've heard this question. We get it constantly too. So we looked into it—and we'll share what we've learned. Ed will walk through the current research and help you think through how to address this question and other frequently-asked-but-not-so-simple-to-answer-inquiries thoughtfully with teens and families. We'll explore what's documented about cannabis contamination, how to respond to student concerns without dismissing them, and why approaching these topics carefully matters for your credibility as an educator.

Learning Objectives: At the end of these sessions, participants will be able to…

• Navigate the complete Real Talk About Fake Pills educator package and implement the program in their schools or communities

• Use turnkey resources including the film, discussion guides and classroom materials to educate students about fentanyl and fake pills

• Address "weed and fentanyl" questions thoughtfully, informed by current research

• Respond to student questions about fentanyl and other substances in ways that build trust and credibility

For questions, please contact: Denise Mariano, Vice President, Partnerships dmariano@songforcharlie.org