West Virginia University just added a brand new minor, Addiction Studies. According to the school, the state of West Virginia has the highest rate of overdose-related deaths in the country and the highest rate of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. With all of this occurring, only 11 percent of people that need treatment actually receive help. As the opioid crisis continues to evolve in this state, WVU implemented this program to help educate others and prepare them to help.

The minor is 15 credits, on-campus, and features some clinical work. This minor meets partial requirements for being certified in the state of West Virginia. The five courses that are offered to work toward the minor are COUN 240: Introduction to Addiction Studies, COUN 250: Addiction Screening and Assessment, COUN 340: Addiction Counseling Techniques, COUN 350: Families and Addiction, and COUN 240: Addiction Studies Capstone. These courses include learning skills such as core concepts of substance abuse, how to assess an addiction, and most importantly, how important it is to be respectful and be non-judgmental to those seeking help. It is vital to use every resource we can to help people fight addiction and, to do so, we must be understanding and caring.

Today was my first day in the minor and my eyes were truly opened to the impacts of substance abuse on people and families. I learned how important it is to work with people who truly do not find any reason to live and how to help motivate them to follow a future in sight. It is so easy to judge and shut others out who have issues due to our busy lives. But it is so truly important to be a listening ear and to make someone else feel just a little safer, even if just for a moment. This minor will help to open the eyes of West Virginia University students to the real problems that can evolve from casual drinking or social weekend drug use. These behaviors, which are seemingly harmless now, can carry into life as serious problems that can cause one to lose a job or even a family member.

Even if you do not have plans to work in any sort of rehabilitation center later in life, I recommend adding these courses if you have time in your schedule. You will learn endless skills and advice that will carry over into many everyday life situations. Not even knowing it, you may be the difference between encouraging someone to seek help or to continue using. Be aware, alert, and continue to explore this amazing state's opportunities. Learn to rise above this crisis and learn not to contribute to the large percentage of people affected.

Mountaineers are always free.