UC Faculty Member Named to State Board

Lawrence Anthony, director of the University of Cincinnati Addictions Studies program, was appointed by Ohio Governor Bob Taft to a new statewide Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. Anthony is the only Cincinnati representative to be selected for the 13-member board.

The new board was created to issue licenses and certificates for alcohol and substance abuse counseling as well as other prevention services. Anthony, a level three licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDCIII), holds the highest level of training in the field. He has more than 30 years of experience working in the area of addictions.

Anthony explains the board was created after passage of a new Ohio law that calls for more specialized licensing of Ohio counselors who are treating people with addictions. Anthony says studies show specialization leads to a better chance at recovery. “Basically, the law means that if someone is going to be doing chemical dependency counseling, they’re going to have more than generalized training. Think about if a patient had a heart problem — they would want to see a heart specialist rather than their generalized practitioner, right? Now, professionals in the addictions field will have specific training in this area, and even managed care is supportive of this because of the future outcomes of treatment.”

Anthony’s appointment resulted from recommendations around the state from colleagues who were familiar with his work in UC’s Addictions Studies Program. The program is the first in Ohio and one of a handful in the country to offer a bachelor’s degree in the treatment, prevention and understanding of addictions. Courses examine the treatment and prevention of everything from alcohol and substance abuse to eating disorders and gambling addictions. Furthermore, Anthony has assisted in developing courses that assist counselors in treating different genders and diverse cultures.

The first group of UC distance learning students in addictions studies graduated in 2001. The Addictions Studies distance learning program is still growing and currently offers baccalaureate degrees to students at Columbus State Community College, Central Ohio Technical College, Hocking College, Jefferson Community College, Rhodes College, Terra Community College, Sinclair Community College, North Central State College and Washington State Community College.