The AGC Offers Education on Substance Use Disorder in Online Courses
In November 2020, IU's Addictions Crisis Grand Challenge (AGC) partnered with the IU School of Nursing to create two online courses about substance use disorder (SUD.) The courses were made possible through grant funding from the Commission for Higher Education of the State of Indiana, CARES Mental Health Programs. Targeting all healthcare providers, students, and communities, anyone wanting to learn about SUD and related topics may enroll. A certificate is awarded upon completing the courses. There are no enrollment fees.
Dean Robin Newhouse, lead investigator for IU's Responding to the Addictions Crisis Grand Challenge, acknowledged the value of the courses saying, "We are excited for the opportunity to offer these courses in which we provide essential information on substance use disorder and ways we, as a community, can effectively address this issue."
The first course, "In This Together: Community Conversations to Reduce Stigma of Substance Use Disorder," fosters individual reflection and community discussions. The course has two educational tracks: trainer and individual learner. The trainer track provides education and guidelines for those interested in educating a community around substance use disorder. The second track, the learner track, is for anyone who would like to educate themselves on substance use disorder and what they as individuals can do to combat the disease. Anyone enrolling in this course may complete one or both tracks. The course can be found online. (This link will take you to IU's portal for professional continuing education, Expand.)
The second course, "Substance Use Disorders: An Introduction for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals," is aimed at nurses and other healthcare professionals, nursing students and other healthcare professional students, to enhance the participants' understanding and knowledge of substance use disorder and related topics, such as stigma, harm reduction, prevention, treatment, and important resources. The course can be found online. (This link will take you to IU's portal for professional continuing education, Expand.)
For any questions about the courses, please contact Responding to the Addictions Crisis Grand Challenge at grandchallenges@iu.edu, or Center for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning at cenurse@iu.edu.
