Maine Launches $1.6M Program to Combat Opioid Crisis Through Training

A transformative initiative is set to launch in Maine aimed at training hundreds of health care professionals in opioid response strategies. The new program, named the University of New England Northern Border Rural Workforce, will focus on equipping both current practitioners and students with the necessary skills to address opioid use disorder in rural communities, which are currently facing significant challenges due to the ongoing opioid epidemic.

The urgency for this program stems from the alarming number of individuals in Maine struggling with opioid addiction. Devon Sherwood, the project director and a professor at UNE’s pharmacy school, highlighted the critical need for better access to treatment in rural areas, stating that these regions are “grossly underserved.” The program aims to provide comprehensive training in treatment options and patient communication techniques, making it the most extensive initiative of its kind in the state.

With the program scheduled to launch no later than August 2026, there is hope to begin earlier. The training will include a variety of strategies, focusing on both medication-assisted treatment and counseling techniques. As Rebecca Ireland, project manager, noted, the demand for opioid treatment services in Maine has led to “extremely long” waitlists. She emphasized that many health care providers lack the training to effectively engage with patients dealing with opioid use disorder.

The initiative will integrate training into the curricula of UNE’s graduate health programs, including pharmacy, psychiatric nurse practitioner, social work, physician assistant, and medicine, as well as undergraduate nursing and social work programs. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure that all health care professionals, regardless of their specialization, will have a foundational understanding of opioid disorders.

Training components will be offered at various levels, allowing participants to select the courses that best fit their roles. This flexibility is crucial, particularly for professionals in non-clinical positions who may interact with patients facing opioid-related issues. Ireland stated that the program intends to “meet them where they’re at,” ensuring accessibility for all participants.

Partnerships with organizations such as Penobscot Community Health Care and Northern Light Health will further support the program’s outreach. Dr. James Jarvis, president of the Maine Medical Association, emphasized the program’s potential impact, asserting that by “reducing training barriers and aligning statewide partners,” it will significantly enhance patient safety and community health.

The initiative is funded by a four-year, $1.6 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, awarded in September. Sherwood noted the team’s commitment to ensuring the program’s sustainability beyond the initial funding period, leveraging the flexibility of its online platform for ongoing education.

During the first four years, the program aims to train hundreds of health care professionals. Following their training, participants are encouraged to practice in rural sites, which could help address workforce shortages in these critical areas. Sherwood expressed optimism that once trained professionals begin working in their communities, they may choose to remain, thereby enhancing the local workforce’s ability to provide opioid-related care.

As the opioid crisis continues to affect many communities, this new training program represents a proactive step toward equipping health care providers with the tools needed to combat this pressing public health issue.