Massachusetts Schools of Social Work Agree Upon 10 Core Principles for Addressing Substance Use

The Baker-Polito Administration announced a first-in-the-nation set of educational core principles for social workers, the largest force on the front lines of the opioid crisis. The Social Work Education Core Principles for the Prevention and Management of Substance Misuse are designed to ensure that the 4,300 social work students enrolled in Massachusetts are equipped with the knowledge and skills vital to effectively combat addiction. 

On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders welcomed Commissioners Monica Bharel (DPH) and Joan Mikula (DMH) along with the deans from each of Massachusetts' nine schools of social work to the State House to formally approve the newly-drafted core principles.

As part of the agreement to adopt these principles, each of the schools of social work will incorporate addiction education and training into their curriculum in the form and manner most appropriate for the institution, guided by the core principles. The nine schools of social work include Boston College, Boston University, Bridgewater State University, Salem State University, Simmons College, Smith College, Springfield College, Westfield State University, and Wheelock College.