6 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The research team will enroll 100 young adults who use cocaine, heroin, inject drugs, or purchase prescription medications on the illicit market in a pilot study to be known as the Rhode Island Young Adult Prescription and Illicit Drug Study (RAPIDS). Participants will be trained to use a take-home home rapid drug test to test for the presence or absence of fentanyl in their drug supply. Half of the enrolled participants will be asked to test their urine for presence or absence of fentanyl, and the other half will be asked to test their drug residue for presence or absence of fentanyl. All participants will receive up to 15 take-home rapid drug tests for fentanyl. A follow-up survey will examine and compare utilization of the tests between the two groups. The study will be guided by the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model of engagement in health behaviors. The IMB model hypothesizes that if a person possesses the information, motivation, and behavioral skills to act, there is an increased likelihood that she/he will fulfill and maintain the desired behaviors (behaviors that will reduce accidental overdose).
This quantitative, interview-based study will determine if increased prescription medication adherence via blister pack administration will reduce suicide related behavior among the high risk population of patients discharged from a psychiatric inpatient unit. The aims of the project are to determine whether blister packaging medication significantly increases treatment adherence and if blister packaging significantly decreases intentional self-poisoning behavior (i.e., suicide attempts and completions). By tracking former psychiatric inpatients for 12 months post-discharge and obtaining monthly medication adherence ratings, we will determine if blister packaging (BP) medications leads to better adherence than dispensing as usual (DUA). The psychiatric patients we will be recruiting have been diagnosed with, major affective disorder, bipolar affective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or schizophrenia (or any combination of these diagnoses). By tracking former psychiatric patients for 12 months post-discharge and obtaining monthly reports (self-report and medical record review) of suicide-related behaviors, we will determine if patients in the BP condition have less intentional self-poisoning behavior than those in the DAU condition.
The goal of this clinical trial is to see if an injectable medicine called naltrexone can prevent fentanyl overdose deaths in people who use other drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine). The main questions it aims to answer are: What are the challenges for implementing naltrexone as an overdose prevention strategy? Are injections of naltrexone effective for opioid overdose prevention among people who use stimulants? How often are people who use stimulants and do not intentionally use opioids unintentionally exposed to opioids? Researchers will compare participants to receive the study medication to the usual care group to see if one group experiences fewer opioid overdose events than the other. Participants will be randomized to either receive a monthly injection of naltrexone over six months, or receive usual care. Usual care includes harm reduction supplies. Laboratory procedures will include the collection of urine, blood, and hair samples for various safety and outcome measure testing.
The overall objective of this study is to evaluate an educational overdose prevention intervention's effectiveness among incarcerated people living with HIV/AIDS, specifically within the context of other outcomes related to health and experiences after incarceration. Results will be used to develop tailored interventions to reduce overdose deaths among high-risk correctional populations. The research has the following aims: * Aim 1: Evaluate a pilot program to provide HIV+ inmates with 1:1 overdose prevention training while incarcerated; * Aim 2: Identify the criminal justice, health, and HIV-related factors associated with overdose risk; and * Aim 3: Describe the overdose risk experiences of HIV+ former inmates who use opioids after release.
The United States is facing unprecedented rates of drug overdose deaths, profoundly impacting millions of families who are left to navigate their grief. Those bereaved by overdose experience a unique form of grief characterized by feelings of guilt, shame, and blame, which can worsen their suffering and deter them from seeking help. Individuals coping with overdose loss often endure more severe health consequences compared to those grieving non-drug related deaths, including prolonged grief disorder, substance use disorders, PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Moreover, bereaved individuals, particularly those with a history of substance use, may engage in risky behaviors as a means of coping, further exacerbating the risk of overdose and mortality within this vulnerable population. Peer grief support interventions have emerged as a promising approach to assist those experiencing such losses. To combat these outcomes, we are collaborating with Peer Community Support Partners (PSCP) in a novel practice-research partnership to implement the RIVER peer grief support model. Though RIVER has shown success in community settings, it has yet to be rigorously evaluated. In a three-aim approach, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of the RIVER model while also enhancing and engaging grievers with support resources via medical examiner offices (MEOs), which routinely contact families during death investigations. This research represents a pivotal advancement in addressing the needs of the overlooked bereaved community, aligning with the NIH's Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative to develop effective strategies against the opioid crisis. Together, community engagement and rigorous research efforts aim to enhance support for those affected by the tragedy of drug overdose.
In the LASSO study, the investigators will identify 100 stimulant overdose decedents (divided among stimulant-only, and stimulant with fentanyl), conduct informant interviews (including scales and qualitative data), and gather data from the postmortem investigation (e.g., vital records, toxicology, autopsy, case narrative, death scene photographs) and medical record abstraction. Subsequently, study staff will conduct qualitative interviews with 40-60 living people who use stimulants (aiming for half methamphetamine, half cocaine) to explore elements of resilience and risk reduction strategies. This study aims to contribute to the eventual design of interventions to reduce stimulant overdose mortality.