Studies exploring interventions and strategies to prevent, mitigate, and treat unhealthy substance use and associated harms.
In the Department of Implementation Science, our researchers are conducting the following studies:
Development and Pilot Randomized Control Trial of a Text Message Intervention to Facilitate Secure Storage and Disposal of Prescription Opioids to Prevent Diversion and Misuse
The overall objective of this NIDA-funded study (R34 DA051710) is to test the feasibility of a novel, evidence-informed strategy that utilizes a series of persuasive, informational text message reminders to expand the impact of secure storage and disposal programs. Learn more about this study.
Assessing Implementation of Pharmacy-Based Medication Disposal Programs: National Estimates, Neighborhood Differences, and Determinants of Implementation
The overall objective of this NIDA-funded study (R03 DA55783) is to assess the (1) extent to which medicine disposal boxes have been implemented in pharmacies across the United States, (2) accessibility of disposal boxes to end users, and (3) determinants of implementation. Learn more about this study.
Expanding Naloxone Access in Rural Communities in North Carolina
The overall goal of this HRSA-funded project (HRSA 212966) is to reduce morbidity and mortality of individuals who use opioids within high-risk rural communities in North Carolina. Learn more about this study.
The Role of Injection Partnerships and Preferences for Reducing HCV Risk: Giving a Voice to Young Women in Rural Appalachia (K01 DA048174; NIDA)
This study aims to explore the role of injection partnership-level factors in HCV risk and assess preferences for syringe services programs (SSP) among young women who inject drugs in rural Appalachian Ohio, leveraging the NIDA-funded National Rural Opioid Initiative infrastructure to evaluate these factors' impact on HCV behaviors and SSP preferences. Learn more about this study.
Peer-based Retention of people who Use Drugs in Rural Research (PROUD-R2)
The PROUD-R2 study tests a peer-based retention strategy to improve recruitment and retention of people who use drugs (PWUD) in clinical research in rural communities affected by opioid use disorder. By comparing peer-led approaches with standard methods, the study aims to enhance research participation and access to treatment for PWUD in rural areas. Learn about this study.
Measuring Resilience to Overlapping Stigma for People who Inject Drugs in Need of HIV Prevention
This study seeks to develop a PWID Resilience Scale to assess how people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural Appalachia navigate the overlapping stigmas of drug use and HIV prevention. By examining the role of resilience in overcoming stigma, the research will create a tool to support interventions aimed at enhancing HIV prevention access and reducing stigma within this population. Learn more about this study.