Preventing opioid use in youth transitioning to adulthood
Official title: Preventing Opioid Use Among Justice-Involved Youth as They Transition to Adulthood: Leveraging Safe Adults (LeSA)
Funded at Texas Christian University · NIH-10209094 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to help young people who have been in the juvenile justice system avoid misusing opioids as they grow up, by training their parents or guardians in supportive ways to manage behavior and promote emotional health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Christian University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2020 |
| Award (this year) | $4,460,305 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3DA050250-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10209094 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 16-18 who are transitioning out of juvenile justice facilities and are at risk for substance use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in the juvenile justice system or who are not at risk for opioid misuse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on preventing opioid misuse among youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system as they transition to adulthood. It aims to adapt a relational intervention called Trust-based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) to help these vulnerable adolescents by training safe adults, such as parents or guardians, in effective behavior management techniques. The goal is to promote emotional regulation and support these youth in avoiding substance use as they reintegrate into their communities after detention. By addressing the unique challenges faced by this population, the research seeks to reduce the risk of opioid misuse and related disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rates of opioid misuse among at-risk youth, leading to healthier transitions into adulthood.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using relational interventions to support at-risk youth, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knight, Danica K — Texas Christian University
- Study coordinator: Knight, Danica K
Related research
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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.