Which opioid policies work best for different people and places

Optimal Methods for Estimating Policy Effect Heterogeneity in Opioid Policy Research

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · RAND CORPORATION · NIH-11125941

This project develops methods to compare how different opioid policies affect communities and people with opioid use disorder across the United States.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorRAND CORPORATION (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SANTA MONICA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11125941 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

From my perspective as someone affected by opioid policy, the team will build a clear classification system (a taxonomy) to describe and organize the many opioid-related policies passed at different levels of government. They will map existing data resources into that taxonomy to see what policy information exists and where gaps remain. Using approaches from implementation science and legal epidemiology, they will improve how policy data are collected and reported so researchers and policymakers can make better comparisons. The work focuses on methods and data infrastructure rather than enrolling patients in a clinical trial.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with opioid use disorder, their families, and community organizations affected by opioid policies are the primary groups who could benefit from the findings of this work.

Not a fit: Individuals seeking immediate medical treatment or clinical care are unlikely to receive direct personal benefit because this project focuses on policy data methods rather than clinical services.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help policymakers choose and tailor policies that reduce overdoses and expand access to treatment for different communities.

How similar studies have performed: Previous policy research has linked certain laws to changes in prescribing and overdose trends, but this project is novel in creating a unified taxonomy and systematically mapping policy data resources.

Where this research is happening

SANTA MONICA, 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.