sk President Nicholas Covino about the issue of opioid addiction and you will hear an impassioned entreaty for the nation to address the epidemic that touches nearly every Amer- ican family. The intensity of his beliefs is well artic- ulated, and his commitment to action is clear. “It’s a hydra of an issue,” he says. “We have an inadequate work force with little diversity; inadequate resources for treatment and little follow-up care; not enough detox and rehab providers; medical records that don’t travel; and people who are dealing with addiction who can’t get appointments.” That is why Covino and his special assistant, Dr. David Herzog, are dedicating part of their consider- able energy and persuasion to place ĂŰĚŇtv at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to the opioid crisis. They are gathering the forces of local, state and federal thought leaders and taking the first steps in building a program that next academic year will begin to train a workforce special- ized in opioid addiction. They are a formidable team that believes that the college can take a leadership role in workforce development and construction. They know that expanding the current meager work- force of 1300 substance abuse counselors in Massa- chusetts is the first step in addressing the crisis. While Covino is engaged in creating the academic program, Herzog is educating the greater communi- ty and inspiring them to get involved and create the supports necessary to sustain the workforce. The emerging program will train multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary professionals who can serve as advocates for people suffering from opioid addiction. It will be supported by an expansive community of influencers and stakeholders who will push for change in diverse corners of government, healthcare, state and federal policy. “The workforce is stagnant and isn’t expanding,” says Covino. “If a young child has a painful appendix, he or she will be admitted to the hospital the same day. But if a young adult has an addiction problem, that person may well be forced to wait weeks or months to receive care.” There are other systemic problems. Those on the frontlines of addictions work earn a low average of Meeting the Opioid Crisis with a Workforce of Experts A The goal of the new opioid program at William James is clear: Create a center that has advocacy, public and professional education as its core. Dr. David Herzog 2 RAPPORT | Short Take