# RTI HEAL Harm Reduction Network Coordination Center

> **NIH NIH R24** · RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE · 2022 · $783,575

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The magnitude of the overdose crisis has brought an increased focus to a well-known public health tool
referred to as harm reduction—a set of strategies or programs implemented to reduce the negative
consequences associated with the use of opioids and other substances while maintaining respect for the
individual. Recognizing the importance of harm reduction in addressing the ongoing opioid crisis and
substance use disorder more broadly, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the Helping to End
Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative, intends to launch a Harm Reduction Network (HRN) of nine research
projects and a Coordination Center (CC) to improve understanding of the effectiveness and outcomes of
implementation of harm reduction strategies. RTI proposes to serve as the CC for the HRN. In this capacity,
RTI will provide scientific, administrative, and logistical support for the HRN to facilitate network coordination
and communication (Aim 1). Recognizing the importance of data harmonization for harm reduction research,
RTI will facilitate a stakeholder-engaged process of developing common metrics and measures to support
HEAL data harmonization, data infrastructure and sharing, and provide methodology consultations (Aim 2).
Given the importance of involving stakeholder voices to adequately identify the problems faced by specific
populations and serve them with evidence-based solutions, RTI will facilitate a conceptually driven
engagement of stakeholders representing individuals and communities at highest risk for harms associated
with drug use (Aim 3). To accelerate the translation of research findings into practice, RTI will establish a
research infrastructure that facilitates the timely development and dissemination of translational products,
including effective dissemination strategies through user-centered design (Aim 4). Our CC team is led by
multiple Principal Investigators Drs. Emmanuel Oga and Jessica Cance, who are experienced leaders of the
largest existing NIH HEAL multisite efforts. The broader team of Core leaders, co-investigators, and scientific
advisors bring significant expertise in harm reduction, data harmonization, statistical methodology, data
infrastructure development and management, and implementation science. RTI has extensive experience
successfully running CCs and retains substantive collective expertise in substance use research, harm
reduction, and community engagement to implement a portfolio of scientific and support activities for the
network. The RTI CC will provide the needed robust central operation to coordinate a comprehensive
multiproject, multipronged research endeavor that demonstrates an understanding of the methodological
complexities of integrating evidence from multiple sources with diverse populations and outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10587698
- **Project number:** 1R24DA057611-01
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica Duncan Cance
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $783,575
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10587698

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10587698, RTI HEAL Harm Reduction Network Coordination Center (1R24DA057611-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10587698. Licensed CC0.

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