Using digital tools to help women in the criminal justice system reduce drug use and improve contraceptive use.
Official title: Adaptation of a Digital Group-Based Intervention to Reduce Drug Use and Increase Contraceptive Use among Reproductive-Aged Women Involved in Criminal Justice Systems
Funded at Fairleigh Dickinson University · NIH-11061832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly online program for women of childbearing age who have been in the criminal justice system, helping them tackle issues like drug use and access to birth control through supportive group sessions and fun activities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fairleigh Dickinson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Teaneck, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $190,245 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DA055762-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are reproductive-aged women with a history of incarceration or community supervision who are struggling with substance use and have unmet contraceptive needs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in the criminal justice system or do not have substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a digital intervention aimed at reproductive-aged women who have been involved in the criminal justice system. The program will utilize facilitated group sessions via videoconference and interactive digital activities to address substance use disorders and unmet contraceptive needs. By engaging participants in a supportive online environment, the intervention seeks to reduce illicit drug use and increase the use of contraceptives among women who may face significant barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services. The study will assess how acceptable and feasible this approach is for the target population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for women by reducing drug use and preventing unintended pregnancies.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various interventions targeting substance use and reproductive health, this specific digital approach tailored for women in the criminal justice system is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slavin, Melissa N. — Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Study coordinator: Slavin, Melissa N.
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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.