Preventing opioid overdoses among college students
Official title: Opioid overdose prevention in US higher education settings: a multisite, mixed methods study of college students and institutional leaders
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-10947526 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into the increasing number of opioid overdoses among college students, especially due to fentanyl, and it wants to find out how ready students and college leaders are to handle these situations so that better prevention strategies can be created to keep everyone safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $43,920 |
| NIH project number | 1R36DA060997-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947526 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include college students aged 18-25 who may be at risk for opioid misuse or overdose.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in college or who are outside the age range of 18-25 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the rising rates of opioid overdoses among college students, particularly focusing on the impact of fentanyl. It aims to gather large-scale data on how prepared college students are for opioid overdoses and to understand the perspectives of college leaders on overdose prevention. By employing mixed methods, the study will analyze both quantitative data and qualitative insights to develop effective prevention strategies tailored for this vulnerable population. The findings could help shape policies and interventions that enhance overdose preparedness in higher education settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing opioid overdoses among college students, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in implementing overdose prevention programs in educational settings, indicating that this approach has potential for effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freibott, Christina Elliott — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Freibott, Christina Elliott
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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.