Anoka County Launches Free Opioid Education Modules for Professionals

The curriculum, titled "The Interface of Pain and Opioids: Comprehensive Pain Management and Responsible Opioid Prescribing," offers eight hours of credit for clinicians including nurses, physical therapists, and psychologists. Created by Dr. Susan Ferron and Dr. Georgia Panopoulos, the modules focus on effective pain management strategies that minimize or eliminate the need for opioids. Beyond clinical instruction, the platform invites community members to participate to better understand addiction and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders.

These modules incorporate interviews with individuals who have experienced the consequences of opioid use or successfully transitioned to non-opioid pain management. Patti Constant, director of the Anoka County Opioid Solutions Initiative, believes that combining clinical knowledge with lived experience is essential for overdose prevention. The county is funding this initiative through opioid settlement money, which also supports local naloxone distribution and ongoing awareness campaigns.