Culturally adapted treatment for substance use in Black youth involved in the justice system

The Cultural Adaptation of an Alcohol and Other Drug Use Treatment for Black Justice Involved Youth

This study is trying to create a new treatment for Black youth in the justice system who struggle with substance use, focusing on how discrimination and stress affect them.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 55 (estimated)
• Ages: 13 Years to 17 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (San Francisco, California and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06003725 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project focuses on understanding how ethnic and racial discrimination affects substance use among Black justice-involved youth. It involves conducting individual interviews with these youth and focus groups with their guardians and community advocates. The goal is to develop a culturally adapted substance use treatment that addresses the unique challenges faced by this population, particularly the impact of discrimination and stress. The findings will inform interventions aimed at reducing alcohol and drug misuse among these adolescents.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Black adolescents aged 12-17 who are on community probation and experiencing substance misuse.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Black or African American or those who are not involved in the justice system may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective substance use treatments tailored to the needs of Black justice-involved youth, ultimately improving their health outcomes and reducing recidivism.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically addressing the intersection of ethnic discrimination and substance use in this demographic, similar culturally adapted interventions have shown promise in other populations.

Eligibility criteria

For Focus Groups and Interviews:

Black JIY Participants:

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1) Between the ages of 13-17; 2) identify as Black or African American; and 3) on community probation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Will be excluded if they do not have parental consent to participate.

For Focus Groups and Interviews:

Adult Participants

Inclusion Criteria:

* A guardian of JIY
* An advocate (someone who supports change and reform in the justice community) for Black JIY.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Will be excluded if they do not provide consent to participate.

For pilot feasibility study:

Black JIY Participants:

Inclusion Criteria:

* Between the ages of 13 and 17
* Identify as Black or African American
* Be on community probation
* Meet criteria for alcohol, cannabis, or other drug misuse as defined by the DSM 5
* Be experiencing at least 1 problem related to AOD;
* The frequency of AOD must be weekly use over a 3-month period

Exclusion Criteria:

* Will be excluded if they do not have parental consent to participate
* Parole violation

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California and 1 other locations

• University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, California, United States (Recruiting)
• Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, South Carolina, United States (Completed)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Brittany Bryant, DSW — University of California, San Francisco
• Study coordinator: Brittany E Bryant, DSW

Conditions Substance Use; Substance use; substance misuse; adolescent; cultural adaptation