Sean P. Varano

Sean P. Varano is a Professor in the Justice Studies department at Roger Williams University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research bridges criminology and public health with a focus on substance abuse issues, particularly adolescent drug use and the opioid crisis in Massachusetts communities.

Dr. Varano's research interests include:

• Adolescent marijuana use patterns and prevention strategies
• Impact of changing cannabis laws on youth behavior
• Community-based responses to the opioid epidemic
• Police-department led treatment initiatives
• Data-driven approaches to overdose prevention

His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on practical, community-engaged research that directly addresses public health crises through criminal justice frameworks. Varano's work frequently examines how policy changes affect drug use behaviors and how communities can develop effective collaborative responses.

He maintains an active research partnership with Pamela Kelley of Stonehill College and other collaborators, focusing on Massachusetts communities including Plymouth County. His studies often involve cohort analyses of student populations and embedded researcher models within community collaborations.