Network-guided ways to support overdose responders to save lives
Official title: A network-based, mixed methods study to identify and support multiple overdose responders and inform overdose prevention interventions
Funded at University of Nevada Reno · NIH-11392541 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study with 300 people who use drugs in Reno, Nevada, will explore what helps some individuals carry naloxone and respond to overdoses more often, and how to better support them and others to do so.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Reno NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Reno, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $591,074 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057682-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392541 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults who use drugs and live in Reno, Nevada, and who are or could become naloxone responders.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not be impacted if they do not encounter overdoses or choose not to carry or use naloxone.
What this research studies
This project follows people who use drugs over time to understand why some responders frequently help during overdoses while others do not. It uses a mix of numbers and interviews to map personal factors, social networks, and local conditions that influence response behavior. The goal is to identify practical targets for programs that sustain responder activity and encourage non-responders to begin responding. Findings will inform interventions that make naloxone distribution more effective and enduring in communities affected by overdose.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to stronger naloxone programs and more people trained and ready to respond to overdoses, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown mixed levels of engagement among responders; this study builds on existing knowledge with a larger, longitudinal mixed-methods approach in a real-world setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Reno
Reno, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagner, Karla D. — University of Nevada Reno
- Study coordinator: Wagner, Karla D.
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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.