Penn. University Offers Online Opioid Treatment Certificate Program

July 12—Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday hailed Clarion University's new online program leading to an opioid treatment specialist certificate as the latest weapon in Pennsylvania's battle against the raging opioid epidemic.

The program, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities, will be offered online for the first time this fall. Clarion officials said the program was designed to assist drug counselors, prevention specialists, law enforcement officials, case managers, first responders, social workers, school counselors and others who deal with the impacts of the epidemic. Enrollment requires no prerequisites.

Noting the rising death toll in Pennsylvania, which recorded 3,600 overdose deaths in 2015 and an estimated 4,600 in 2016, Wolf joined Clarion University president Karen Whitney in a press conference announcing the new program.

"Education is a powerful tool," Wolf said.

Debra Erdley is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-320-7996, derdley@tribweb.com or via Twitter @deberdley_trib.