Preventing opioid use disorder among homeless youth through social support and interventions
Official title: Building Social and Structural Connections for the Prevention of OUD among Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An RCT Examining Biopsychosocial Mechanisms
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10932438 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for ways to help young people aged 14 to 24 who are homeless and at risk of misusing opioids by providing support and resources that meet their needs, so they can improve their mental health and avoid substance use problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,516,691 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059411-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932438 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are youth aged 14 to 24 who are currently experiencing homelessness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing homelessness or are outside the age range of 14 to 24 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to prevent opioid use disorder (OUD) among youth experiencing homelessness by addressing their social and structural needs. The study will engage youth aged 14 to 24 at a drop-in center, where they will be randomly assigned to different intervention groups that include motivational interviewing, community reinforcement, and advocacy services. By focusing on the social determinants of health, the research aims to identify effective strategies that can improve both mental health and substance use outcomes for these vulnerable individuals. The goal is to find long-term solutions that can be implemented in similar communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of opioid use disorder and improve overall health outcomes for homeless youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing social determinants of health can lead to improved outcomes in similar populations, suggesting a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Jodi L. — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Ford, Jodi L.
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.