How disasters and major events change overdose risk and community response
Understanding the short- and long-term effects of disasters and other Big Events on the overdose crisis
['FUNDING_R01'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11142606
This project looks at how disasters and other big events change overdose risk and which policies help keep people who use drugs and their communities safer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11142606 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you use drugs or live in a community hit by a disaster or epidemic, this work will examine how overdose deaths and related harms change during and after those events. Researchers will combine data on overdose deaths, local policies, and community characteristics across counties to see which responses made things better or worse. They will apply a Big Events Theory framework to understand how social and economic disruptions affect drug use, access to services, and overdose risk. The team will compare different places and policies to identify measures that eased access to treatment and harm reduction during crises.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people who use drugs, community members in areas affected by disasters or epidemics, and local providers or public-health staff who can describe local services and policies.
Not a fit: People whose overdose risk is not linked to disasters, major events, or local policy changes may not see direct benefits from this project's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide policies and programs that reduce overdose deaths and protect people during and after disasters.
How similar studies have performed: Past research has documented overdose spikes after disasters and epidemics, but few studies have identified which specific policies prevent those increases.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MATTHAY, ELLICOTT COLSON — NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: MATTHAY, ELLICOTT COLSON
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 below.