News

June 25, 2007

Addictions under microscope

REBECCA BRIA

NANTICOKE – Matt Akers has seen just about every type of substance abuser.

Akers, an in-patient counselor at White Deer Run Treatment Center in Allenwood, has dealt with heroin, cocaine, alcohol and methamphetamine addicts. But even he learned something at Luzerne County’s first Alcohol and Drug Studies Institute on Monday.

“It’s informative, there’s a lot of information for just a couple of days,” said Akers. “You could probably do an entire semester on it.”

The program kicked off at Luzerne County Community College’s Educational Conference Center. More than 100 professionals and relatives of substance abuse addicts are attending workshops on drug-and-alcohol-related issues through Thursday.

Mike Donahue of the Luzerne and Wyoming Counties Drug and Alcohol Administration is one of the forces behind the institute. The program is the brainchild of several people, Donahue said, including the college board of trustees, Luzerne County Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg Skrepenak and Mahmoud Fahmy, an LCCC trustee.

Funded by private donors, the institute features speakers from across the nation. Dr. Cardwell Nuckols is leading “The Evidence Based Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders” workshop. An internationally renowned expert in behavior and addictions, Nuckols says that sometimes addicts are struggling with other issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety that lead to substance addictions.

“Sometimes what happens is we just treat part of the problem,” Nuckols said. He said both conditions must be treated in order for a person to fully recover. He also believes drug addiction is now diagnosed more often due to the weakening nuclear family and a faster pace of life.

Donahue said one goal is to develop a curriculum of courses on the subject and to offer college credits that will count toward an associate’s degree and that can be transferred to other colleges. Although nothing has been finalized, Donahue hopes the program of study will be available by fall 2008.

In addition to developing a curriculum, the institute will continue to host workshops with recognized speakers on a yearly basis. Educational programs and other speakers for professionals and the community will be offered year-round. A permanent substance abuse library and resource center that can be accessed by the public will open in the future.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews