Feasibility and Acceptability of Technology-Assisted Overdose Response Interventions in Rhode Island

NIH RePORTER · NIH · P20 · $243,856 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Drug overdoses remain an urgent public health issue in the U.S. Overdoses reached record levels resulting in over 100,000 lives lost between May 2020 to April 2021. Solitary drug use remains a significant overdose risk factor among people who use drugs. Technology-mediated interventions including wall-mounted button systems, wearable biosensors and mobile applications that assist communities to more quickly detect and respond to overdoses hold potential to reduce overdose burden. This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of technology-mediated overdose detection and response interventions in the community. Specific aims are: 1) To characterize the demographic and environmental characteristics of fatal and non-fatal solitary overdoses in Rhode Island using secondary data analysis; 2) To examine the acceptability of technology-assisted overdose interventions among service providers, program managers, business owners, PWUD, and family of PWUD through a community survey (N=200) in Rhode Island; 3) To explore the feasibility and acceptability of technology-assisted overdose interventions in Rhode Island and a future clinical trial examining effectiveness and implementation and to develop the key components of the intervention through stakeholder focus group discussions. Our study will be informed by the RE-AIM framework and generate preliminary data for future effectiveness and implementation studies. This proposal directly addresses the goals of the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative to speed scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis.

Key facts

NIH application ID
11124401
Project number
5P20GM125507-07
Recipient
RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
Principal Investigator
Ju Nyeong Park
Activity code
P20
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$243,856
Award type
5
Project period
2024-09-01 → 2028-08-31