New Drug Counseling Degree At Tunxis Community College

FARMINGTON — A new Criminal Justice: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Option associate’s degree program will be offered at Tunxis Community College beginning this fall.

“It is the only higher education program of its type in Connecticut and Tunxis is among a select group of colleges nationally that offer specialization in this area,” said Harriet Cianci, assistant professor of Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Counselor Program at Tunxis. The program will help prepare students for employment in criminal justice and related agencies that require basic knowledge of drug and alcohol treatment and issues relevant to the criminal justice system.

“The union of criminal justice and drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor specialties is a natural fit,” said Ms Cianci. “Clearly these fields have blended with one another during recent years,” she added. “Substance abuse facilities treat numerous clients who are overseen by the criminal justice system and the system deals with 80 to 90 percent of a population that is incarcerated for alcohol and drug related crimes.”

The Criminal Justice: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Option will provide students with the necessary credits to meet the requirements for certification and employment. This will also enable current substance abuse counselors and supervisors employed by the state Department of Correction to fulfill requirements for attaining licensure or certification within mandate time limits.

For more information, call 860-677-7701 or visit www.Tunxis.commnet.edu. Tunxis is located at the junction of Routes 6 and 77.