Julio Sarmiento

“Being able to study and understand substance use disorder and its deeper connections in the community, I have been able to apply frameworks and become more aware about the impact substance use may have one so many people’s lives. Having the opportunity to spend a year working with adolescents who are facing their substance use disorders, it made me realize that this is truly an issue that affects everyone. This work basis has also provided me opportunities to travel to Washington D.C to advocate for substance use research, environmental factors, and continue to push for support from our government. With all of this in mind, I look to continue to work with children and adolescents to be able to support them with substance use and any other issues they may come across. Eventually, I would like to fight for a space in government to provide more of a voice for social workers and push for social justice.” – Julio Sarmiento ’23 ’24 graduated with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Social Work.