Understanding and reducing overdose risks in youth and young adults
Official title: The Youth Empowerment Study (YES)
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11054860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is talking to young people, their parents, and healthcare providers to understand how they feel about the dangers of fake pills and opioids, so we can come up with helpful ways to keep youth safe from overdoses and teach them about drug safety and lifesaving tools like naloxone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $497,002 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DA062256-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents aged 13-17 and young adults aged 18-25 who are at risk of opioid use or overdose.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the age range of 13-25 or those who do not engage in opioid use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the perceptions and experiences of adolescents and young adults regarding the risks associated with counterfeit pills and opioids. Through focus groups, the study aims to gather insights from young people, parents, and healthcare providers to develop effective strategies for overdose prevention. The goal is to co-create interventions that empower youth with knowledge about drug safety and access to lifesaving tools like naloxone. By addressing the unique challenges faced by this age group, the research seeks to fill a critical gap in overdose prevention efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of overdose among youth and young adults by providing them with essential knowledge and resources.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in developing overdose prevention strategies for adults, but this approach focusing specifically on youth is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bagley, Sarah M — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bagley, Sarah M
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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.