AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts, Amherst will soon be training nursing students to help combat addiction on the back of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant.
The $870,000 grant will go towards integrating a new program for nursing majors aimed at training students in screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for people who struggle with substance abuse.
“This grant boosts the ongoing work of the university in bringing evidence-based practice to substance abuse prevention and treatment,” Sally Linowski, co-principal investigator for the project, said.
The grant will allow UMass to incorporate the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) own curriculum into their existing classes over the next three years. The university estimates that roughly 500 students will receive this training, called “SBIRT: The Power of Nursing to Change Health.”
“It’s just a wonderful program,” said UMass nursing professor Donna Zucker, who will also be a principal investigator for the program.
Zucker said that the program is part of a nationwide effort to put more resources into preventing addiction rather than simply treating it. In particular, and especially in Massachusetts, the program may help to treat and prevent the use of heroin, a drug that has seen skyrocketing addiction rates in recent years.
“The timing couldn’t be better for raising awareness in the community,” Zucker said.
For students taking the courses, their training will be put to use almost immediately in the surrounding area. Students will get hands on experience working in Springfield high schools, at the UMass University Health Center (UHS), and in nearby community health centers, where they will have the opportunity to practice the skills they learn in class.
“It’s another skill that they can bring,” Zucker said, noting that the in-class training is scheduled to start in October.