Training friends and family to support people using opioids on Chicago's West Side

CE24-013 - Reducing Overdose and Substance Use-related Stigma on Chicago's West Side by Training Non-substance-using Friends and Family Members of People who Use Opioids to Be Harm Reduction Champions

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · NIH-10992565

This study is all about helping older Black folks in Chicago who use opioids by training their friends and family to support them with overdose prevention and access to helpful resources, creating a caring community around them.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10992565 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research aims to reduce stigma and improve access to harm reduction services for older Black individuals who use opioids in Chicago. It involves training non-substance-using friends and family members to become harm reduction champions, equipping them with knowledge about overdose prevention and available resources. Participants will be encouraged to recruit someone they know who uses opioids to join the program, creating a supportive network that fosters access to essential services.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older Black individuals who use opioids and their non-substance-using friends or family members living on the West side of Chicago.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use opioids or do not have a support network of friends or family members may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase access to harm reduction services and reduce opioid-related fatalities in marginalized communities.

How similar studies have performed: Similar approaches have shown promise in other communities, indicating potential for success in this novel intervention.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.