Police pathways to treatment and safety for people who use drugs
Official title: Police Pathways to Addiction Treatment, Health, and Safety: The Police PATHS Study
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-11417277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in two U.S. cities explores police-assisted diversion to connect people who use drugs with treatment and services instead of arrest.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $718,775 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA064512-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include PWUD encountered by police who could benefit from diversion to treatment and services.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience immediate health improvements or may not engage with treatment despite diversion.
What this research studies
This project examines how police-assisted diversion can link people who use drugs to evidence-based treatment, with a focus on medications for opioid use disorder, to improve health and safety. Researchers will use interviews with Baltimore and Philadelphia police to understand how PAD is implemented, its costs, and its impact on health outcomes. The goal is to identify practical ways to expand PAD across jurisdictions while preserving public safety and reducing overdose risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide police departments on effective PAD strategies that improve health outcomes and reduce overdoses for people who use drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests that diversion and linkage to treatment can reduce harm, but rigorous health-outcome data in PAD contexts remains limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Del Pozo, Brandon — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Del Pozo, Brandon
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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.