# Evaluation of a novel intervention to prevent polysubstance overdoses involving illicit stimulants

> **NIH ALLCDC R01** · RESEARCH INST NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSP · 2022 · $724,999

## Abstract

Project Summary
Overdoses involving illicit stimulants are increasing in the United States (US). Many of these overdoses involve
fentanyl, which may be added to illicit stimulants with or without the user’s knowledge. Given the potency of
fentanyl and its pervasiveness in the illicit drug supply, any meaningful efforts to reduce overdose deaths
involving illicit stimulants must also address fentanyl. Rapid fentanyl test strips, designed to test for the
presence of fentanyl and some fentanyl analogs in urine samples, are increasingly being used off-label by
people who use drugs to test illicit drugs for fentanyl before consumption. This alerts the user that they may
wish to perform overdose risk reduction behaviors (e.g., using less of the drug). However, due to the emergent
nature of this harm reduction strategy, peer-reviewed published research on this topic is very limited. The
proposed study addresses Objective #1 of the NOFO and will test an intervention to prevent overdoses among
a high-risk population of drug court clients with a history of illicit stimulant use. The intervention consists of 1)
fentanyl test strip education and distribution (FTSED) and 2) opioid overdose education and naloxone
distribution (OEND) through drug courts in Ohio. The long-term goal of this research is the reduction of
overdose-related morbidity and mortality in Ohio and nationally. The research objectives of this study are: 1)
Determine the acceptability and feasibility of providing FTSED and OEND on-site through drug courts (process
evaluation – Specific Aim #1); and 2) Evaluate the impact of providing FTSED in combination with OEND to
drug court clients who use illicit stimulants or polysubstances including illicit stimulants, compared with
providing OEND alone (outcome evaluation – Specific Aims #2 & #3). Using a two-arm group randomized trial
design, we will answer the research objectives by testing the following specific aims: 1) Determine the
perceived acceptability, barriers, and facilitating factors associated with providing FTSED and OEND on-site in
drug courts to clients who use illicit stimulants or polysubstances including illicit stimulants; 2) Test the
hypothesis that individuals with a history of illicit stimulant use who receive FTSED and OEND on-site in drug
courts will have improved knowledge and self-efficacy regarding how to test drugs for fentanyl and strategies
for reducing their risk of an overdose compared to those who receive OEND only; 3) Test the hypothesis that
individuals with a history of illicit stimulant use who receive FTSED and OEND on-site in drug courts will have
lower non-fatal and fatal overdose rates associated with illicit stimulants or polysubstance use involving illicit
stimulants than those who receive OEND only. Given the pervasiveness of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply,
even individuals whose preferred drugs are illicit stimulants are likely to encounter fentanyl and/or fentanyl
analogues. We will evaluate the fea...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10492383
- **Project number:** 5R01CE003349-02
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH INST NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSP
- **Principal Investigator:** Nichole L Michaels
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $724,999
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2023-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10492383

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10492383, Evaluation of a novel intervention to prevent polysubstance overdoses involving illicit stimulants (5R01CE003349-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10492383. Licensed CC0.

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