Preventing substance use and overdose in rural youth involved in the legal system
Official title: Multilevel SUD and Overdose Prevention for Rural Youth Involved in County Legal Systems
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11032648 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a friendly plan to help young people in rural areas who are involved with the legal system, aiming to prevent them from using drugs and overdosing by offering support both online and in person.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,751,868 |
| NIH project number | 1R61DA061846-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032648 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 0-21 who are involved in county legal systems and are at risk for substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in the legal system or do not reside in rural areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a comprehensive strategy to prevent substance use disorders and overdose among youth involved in the legal system in rural areas. The approach combines both remote and in-person interventions tailored to the unique needs of these young individuals. By collaborating with local court systems, the project aims to implement effective prevention measures that can be integrated into the juvenile justice process. The goal is to delay the escalation of substance use and reduce the risk of overdose fatalities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce substance use and overdose rates among vulnerable youth in rural communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar hybrid intervention models in juvenile justice settings, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahrens, Kym R — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ahrens, Kym R
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.