OASAS Addiction Medicine Educational Series Goes Paperless

ALBANY, NY (07/27/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced the transformation of the OASAS Addiction Medicine Educational Series from a traditional format to a completely paperless system, eliminating the need for the manual procedures used to score tests, administer credit, and print and mail certificates. "In these challenging fiscal times, we are always looking for ways to maximize resources and provide services more efficiently," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "This streamlined course completion process will better meet the needs of the state's addiction workforce by providing more convenient, easier access and faster response times."

The free 25-course, 57-hour Addiction Medicine Educational Series is an immensely popular program. More workbooks will be added throughout the year, increasing the number of credits that can be earned. On average, OASAS corrects more than 2,000 tests each month and issues an equally large number of certificates. Since this new procedure is paperless, it not only has positive environmental implications, but it will also yield significant savings in staff time and effort.

"The new Addiction Medicine Educational Series demonstrates OASAS' commitment to providing continuous learning development opportunities aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of addiction professionals," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo.

Although the content has not changed, the implementation of the new, completely web-based format will enable individuals to study and/or review any of the available courses, complete tests, submit answers and receive documentation of the test results immediately - all online. There is no longer a need to print course material and answer sheets. Nor is it necessary to mail or fax completed tests to OASAS and then wait for results to arrive by mail.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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