A comprehensive training program aimed at addressing the opioid crisis in rural Maine is set to launch, backed by a significant investment of $1.6 million. The initiative, known as the University of New England Northern Border Rural Workforce, will provide essential opioid response training for hundreds of health care professionals, including students and current practitioners in underserved areas.
As communities in Maine continue to grapple with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, the need for specialized training has become increasingly critical. According to Devon Sherwood, project director and professor at UNE’s pharmacy school, many rural areas are “grossly underserved.” The program aims to equip participants with vital skills in recognizing and treating opioid use disorders.
Scheduled to launch no later than August 2026, this program is expected to be the most comprehensive of its kind in the state. Sherwood emphasized that the goal is to increase the number of health care professionals who are capable of effectively managing patients with opioid use disorders. “We hope to get more people equipped to manage these patients,” she stated.
The urgency for such training is underscored by long waitlists for substance use treatment services in Maine. Rebecca Ireland, project manager, noted that many potential patients are not receiving adequate care. “Providers often lack the necessary training to feel comfortable and effective in discussing these conditions with patients,” she explained. The new program aims to bridge this gap.
Training will cover various treatment strategies, including medication options and patient communication techniques. Participants will also have access to both basic and advanced certification components, allowing them to choose training that aligns with their roles. This flexibility extends to non-clinical staff in health care organizations who may interact with patients experiencing opioid use issues.
The program will be integrated into curricula for graduate health programs at UNE, including pharmacy, psychiatric nurse practitioner, social work, physician assistant, and medicine, as well as undergraduate nursing and social work programs. An online component will cater to professionals from various partner organizations, such as the Penobscot Community Health Care system and Northern Light Health.
Collaboration with multiple health care education organizations, including the Maine Medical Association, aims to enhance the overall impact of the initiative. Dr. James Jarvis, president of the association, highlighted the importance of reducing barriers to training. “This program will have a meaningful, measurable impact on patient safety and community health,” he stated, emphasizing its potential to prevent overdose deaths in the state.
Funding for the program comes from a four-year grant awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration in September. Sherwood and her team are focused on making the program sustainable beyond the initial funding period, leveraging the flexibility of the online platform to continue training future health care professionals.
As the program unfolds, UNE expects to train hundreds of students and health care employees. Sherwood encouraged graduates to practice in rural locations, stating, “Once they receive this training, we hope they will stay and help improve workforce numbers.” This initiative represents a critical step forward in addressing the opioid crisis and ensuring that rural communities have access to the care they need.
