Examining how legal systems affect harm reduction services for drug users.
Official title: Assessing the Reach, Effectiveness, and Implementation of Multiple Harm Reduction Interventions.
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-11090103 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the legal system affects people who use drugs and their access to important services that help prevent overdoses, aiming to find out if actions like drug seizures make it harder for them to get the help they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $171,499 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA057613-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090103 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who use drugs and are affected by the criminal legal system.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use drugs or are not impacted by legal interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the criminal legal system impacts the use of harm reduction services and overdose rates among individuals who use drugs. It focuses on the barriers created by law enforcement actions, such as drug seizures, which may deter people from accessing these vital services. By analyzing survey data from over 1,200 participants in San Francisco, the study aims to understand both direct and indirect effects of legal interventions on overdose mortality. The findings could inform better policies and practices to support harm reduction efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved harm reduction strategies that save lives and reduce overdose deaths among drug users.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that legal interventions can significantly impact drug use behaviors and overdose rates, suggesting that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kral, Alexander H — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Kral, Alexander H
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.