Social intervention for overdose prevention and education

A Social Diffusion Fatal Overdose Prevention Intervention: Assessing the Effectiveness of People Who Use Opioids as Peer Educators in Training Using & Non-using Networks on Overdose & Stigma Reduction

NA · Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health · NCT06327061

This study is trying out a program that teaches people who use opioids and their friends and family how to prevent and respond to drug overdoses.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment600 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (other)
Locations1 site (Baltimore, Maryland)
Trial IDNCT06327061 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study tests a social intervention aimed at preventing drug overdoses by training both people who use opioids and their non-using network members. The intervention includes three sessions for opioid users to become peer educators and one session for non-using network members to learn about overdose response. The goal is to enhance the ability of social networks to respond to overdoses and foster discussions about overdose prevention. The study builds on previous findings that peer education can be effective in overdose prevention efforts.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 18 and older who self-report illicit opioid use and live in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use opioids or those who lack the cognitive ability to provide informed consent may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce the incidence of drug overdoses by empowering both users and their support networks with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with peer education approaches in overdose prevention, indicating potential for this intervention's effectiveness.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* self-reported illicit opioid use at least 2 times in the past two weeks;
* age 18 and older;
* living in the Baltimore metropolitan region;
* willing to engage in peer education; and
* having and willing to recruit at least one non-using network member.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants without the cognitive ability to provide informed consent and have the physical ability to participate in in-person intervention sessions.

Where this trial is running

Baltimore, Maryland

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Drug Overdose

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.