Dr. Logan Fields, assistant professor of Psychology at Arcadia University, has introduced an innovative community outreach component to his PY245: Drugs and Behavior course, supported by a $500 CASAA microgrant. The microgrant allowed Dr. Fields and his students to assemble care packages with essential supplies and hygiene products, which they distributed alongside the harm reduction-focused not-for-profit, the Agape Project, at an outreach event in Camden, N.J.

“Substance use and addiction are deeply personal matters to me, as they are for so many others around the world. Nearly everyone has a loved one—a family member, friend, or colleague—affected by these challenges,” Fields said. “I am no exception. I’ve seen people I care for lose everything, even their lives, to substance use. Rather than let these experiences create distance, I use them to fuel my commitment to supporting and understanding those impacted.” 

The community learning program he designed for his students mirrors the work of nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia area.

“Our recent event, focused specifically on harm reduction, introduced students to a progressive, nonjudgmental approach to support—offering clean supplies, food, and genuine kindness to individuals, regardless of their readiness for treatment,” he explained. “This experience not only provides immediate relief to those in need but also fosters empathy and a deeper understanding among students, who come away inspired and better equipped to contribute meaningfully to our community.”

In PY245: Drugs and Behavior, Fields educates students on the complex issues of drug use and addiction, combating and dismantling the misunderstandings and stigmas surrounding the topic.

“My goal in teaching this course isn’t to turn students into addiction science experts; rather, it’s to cultivate a more compassionate and nuanced perspective on human suffering in all its forms,” said Fields. “Examining addiction and substance use provides a powerful lens through which to understand society and recognize how meaningful change can come simply from understanding one another.”

Fields has taught this course five times, updating the content each time to prioritize topics that explore the sociocultural, psychological, and biological aspects of substance use and addiction. 

This year, he’s discussed the underlying determinants of addiction with his students, focusing on how substance use often begins as a way to cope with mental health challenges or trauma experienced in childhood, commonly known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). He plans on hosting colleagues from a local counseling center to speak with students and provide Narcan training.