Reducing substance use among youth in rural communities involved in the justice system.

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research aims to tackle the opioid crisis by focusing on youth involved in the juvenile justice system in rural Indiana, where access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is limited. The project will create partnerships between juvenile justice systems and community mental health centers to improve identification of SUD risks and facilitate timely access to evidence-based treatment. By addressing barriers to care, the initiative seeks to enhance the overall health outcomes for these at-risk youth. The approach involves a Learning Health System model to ensure continuous improvement and adaptation of services based on community needs.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Indiana University Indianapolis
  Indianapolis, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Aalsma, Matthew — Indiana University Indianapolis
• Study coordinator: Aalsma, Matthew

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• New statistical methods to study brain networks in substance use and addiction

  A small, focused project will develop and test new brain-imaging analysis methods to identify biomarkers linked to substance use risk and addiction, using resting-state MRI data from people with autistic disorder.

  NIH research William D Shannon Consulting, LLC · St Louis, UNITED STATES · NIH-11455092

• Training medical students to address substance use disorders in urban and rural communities.

  The UW Medical Student Addiction Research Program helps first-year medical students learn about substance use disorders by involving them in research and mentorship, so they can better understand and support people affected by addiction in their future careers.

  NIH research University of Washington · Seattle, United States · NIH-11055708

• Reducing substance use among youth in rural communities involved in the justice system.

  This study is working to help young people in rural Indiana who are involved in the juvenile justice system and struggling with substance use by teaming up with local mental health centers to make sure they get the support and treatment they need.

  NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-10621857

• Improving contraception decisions for women with substance use disorders after childbirth

  A patient-centered decision tool called MyPath aims to help postpartum women with substance use disorders choose and keep effective contraception after giving birth.

  NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11601588

• Co-treated care for substance use and heart infection at UVMMC

  A hospital-based project aims to improve how doctors and teams treat people with both substance use disorder and infective endocarditis during their hospital stay.

  NIH research University of Vermont & St Agric College · Burlington, United States · NIH-11599499

• Preventing Suicide Among Teens Who Use Substances in School Settings

  Aims to see if how schools respond to substance-use incidents (like alcohol or drugs) can lower suicide risk among high‑risk students.

  NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11582627

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.