Using peer support to encourage safer drug use and reduce overdoses
Official title: Efficacy and implementation considerations for a peer-led motivational interviewing intervention to promote uptake of drug checking services and safer drug use behaviors to reduce overdose
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11180417 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly program called MI-CHANCE that helps people who use drugs learn about safer practices and encourages them to use drug checking services, especially for Latinx individuals who might have trouble accessing these resources, all with the goal of reducing overdose incidents over two and a half years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,011,438 |
| NIH project number | 5R33DA061260-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180417 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who use drugs and are seeking support to reduce their risk of overdose.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use drugs or are not interested in harm reduction services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a peer-led intervention called MI-CHANCE, designed to promote the use of drug checking services and encourage safer drug use behaviors among individuals who use drugs. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing overdose incidents over a period of 30 months. Participants will receive personalized feedback on their drug samples and engage in motivational interviewing sessions aimed at increasing their knowledge and self-efficacy regarding safer drug practices. The approach is culturally tailored to address the needs of Latinx individuals, who often face barriers to accessing harm reduction services.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rates of drug overdoses among participants by promoting safer drug use practices.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with peer-led interventions in promoting safer drug use behaviors, indicating a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strathdee, Steffanie a. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Strathdee, Steffanie a.
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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.