# Community Mitigation Against Xylazine

> **NIH NIH R21** · RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE · 2024 · $212,200

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
We propose to use the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations as a framework to examine the
feasibility and acceptability of a community-based drug checking (CBDC) program operating through a
syringe service program (SSP) to collect information about the presence of xylazine in the illicit drug supply
among rural and tribal communities in Minnesota. Administrative datasets that detect xylazine are too
delayed and removed from persons who use drugs to provide actionable understanding into intervention
strategies or changes in use patterns. CBDC has the potential to identify emerging substances like xylazine
in real time and serve as point of care to provide individuals with information about their drugs, with
actionable responses and referrals to treatment and services. However, there is limited information on the
feasibility and acceptability of CBDC programs in the research literature and nothing in rural settings or with
tribal communities. The proposed R21, Community Mitigation Against Xylazine, will address this and is
ideally situated for the NOT-DA-24-012.
Minnesota legalized all drug paraphernalia in 2023, and the state provided funding to SSPs to purchase a
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy technology (the gold standard for CBDC programs), xylazine testing
strips, and wound care kits. As part of this exploratory R21, we build on a collaboration with a community-
based non-profit SSP that established the first mobile community-based drug checking in the state, with a
delivery area classified as rural and that includes two American Indian/Native American tribal reservations.
As part of a 24-month mixed-methods study, we will examine feasibility and acceptability of the CBDC
program to detect xylazine through data collected from program participants and staff, with those whose
drugs test positive for xylazine recruited to complete a qualitative interview on use and health effects. To
demonstrate feasibility, we will calculate the prevalence of xylazine among samples tested from a
centralized database that the investigation team will develop and disseminate to local stakeholders.
The proposed study has strong public health potential to mitigate harms from xylazine and future cutting
agents. Our study proposes examining drug checking where legal barriers have been removed and with a
highly understudied population. The investigation team has experience examining harm reduction strategies
and future R01 implementation science grants will use the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations to
examine strategies that improve the reach and benefits of this emerging harm reduction strategy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10948526
- **Project number:** 1R21DA060954-01
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Bradley Ray
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $212,200
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10948526

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10948526, Community Mitigation Against Xylazine (1R21DA060954-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10948526. Licensed CC0.

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