Using buprenorphine to help probationers and parolees access treatment for opioid use disorder
Official title: Buprenorphine for probationers and parolees: Bridging the gap into treatment
Funded at Friends Research Institute, INC. · NIH-10610309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether giving buprenorphine right away to people on probation or parole helps them do better in their recovery compared to the usual treatment options, and it involves 320 participants who will be followed for a year to see how they progress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Friends Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2018 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $562,665 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA043476-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10610309 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who are currently on probation or parole and struggling with opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on probation or parole or those who do not have opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research evaluates how effective buprenorphine bridge treatment (BBT) is for probationers and parolees compared to standard treatment options. Participants will receive buprenorphine immediately after intake at a community supervision office, allowing for quicker access to medication-assisted treatment. The study will involve 320 individuals, who will be monitored over a year to assess their drug use and treatment outcomes. The goal is to determine if BBT leads to better results than simply referring individuals to community treatment programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve treatment access and outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder who are on probation or parole.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that medication-assisted treatments like buprenorphine can be effective, but this specific approach for probationers and parolees is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Friends Research Institute, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gordon, Michael Scott — Friends Research Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gordon, Michael Scott
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.