Preventing Opioid Use Disorder in Homeless Youth Ages 14 to 24 with Behavioral Support Programs

What this Trial Is About

Youth experiencing homelessness face many challenges including high rates of substance use and mental health disorders, which can have long-lasting effects on their well-being. This research aims to study a comprehensive prevention program that targets social factors affecting these youth to improve their health outcomes. The study uses a dismantling design to identify which parts of the intervention are most effective in reducing opioid misuse and improving mental health among homeless youth aged 14 to 24 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups Motivational Interviewing combined with the Community Reinforcement Approach plus usual services Strengths-Based Outreach and Advocacy plus usual services a combination of all three interventions or usual services alone offered by a community drop-in center. The interventions include counseling sessions, advocacy to help meet basic needs and connect with resources, and usual drop-in center support. The study evaluates how these approaches impact opioid use disorder prevention and mental health outcomes. Youth will be assessed at the start and then again at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months to monitor substance use, mental health, and overall well-being. Assessments include interviews about substance use, questionnaires for depression and anxiety, and health surveys. The study also explores how factors like age, sex, and past experiences affect responses to the interventions. Researchers will track costs to help guide future programs for homeless youth.

Building Social and Structural Connections for the Prevention of Opioid Use Disorder Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness