Helping young adults involved in the justice system reduce drug use with support coaches
Official title: Reducing Opioid and Other Drug Use in Justice-Involved Emerging Adults using Paraprofessional Coaches (with and without Lived Experience) to Deliver Effective Services in a Non-Treatment Setting
Funded at Chestnut Health Systems, INC. · NIH-10809719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help young adults aged 18-25 who are dealing with substance use issues and are involved in the justice system by providing them with friendly support from coaches who understand their struggles, so they can learn effective ways to manage their substance use and feel better overall.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Chestnut Health Systems, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $201,595 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DA048161-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10809719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-25 who are involved in the justice system and experiencing issues with opioid or other substance use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in the justice system or who do not have substance use issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve access to effective practices for young adults aged 18-25 who are involved in the justice system and struggling with opioid and other substance use. It utilizes paraprofessional coaches, some of whom have lived experience, to provide support in non-treatment settings. The approach focuses on engaging these individuals in evidence-based practices to help them manage their substance use and improve their overall well-being. The research will also involve training the investigator in ethical health services research and advanced methodologies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better support systems for young adults in the justice system, helping them reduce substance use and improve their lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using peer support and coaching approaches to help individuals with substance use issues, indicating potential for this method.
Where this research is happening
-
Chestnut Health Systems, INC.
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drazdowski, Tess K. — Chestnut Health Systems, INC.
- Study coordinator: Drazdowski, Tess K.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Couples-based motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV risk in vulnerable male couples
A couples-focused program helps at-risk male couples reduce drug use and HIV risk together.
-
How growing up poor in rural Georgia affects children's brains and risk for drug use
This project looks at how early poverty and stress in rural Georgia change children's brain systems and their later chances of using drugs.
-
Understanding why teens relapse after treatment and how to keep them safe
A teen-focused study will look at why adolescents who finish inpatient treatment sometimes return to high-risk drug use and how that affects overdose risk.
-
Peer-led intervention to spread overdose prevention and support quitting opioids in high-risk communities
A randomized trial will test a peer-education program to reduce overdoses and help people who use opioids start or stay in treatment, by using social networks and new withdrawal-focused strategies.
-
High-Dose Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and Retention in Care
This project tests whether adjusted, higher-dose MOUD regimens can help people stay in treatment and reduce overdose risks during the fentanyl crisis.
-
OVAL: How laws about drug use in pregnancy affect pregnant and new mothers who use drugs
A nationwide project is looking at how laws about drug use in pregnancy influence health for pregnant and postpartum women who use drugs.
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.