Reducing Overdose and Stigma by Training Harm Reduction Champions

This study is testing a program called the Peer Harm Reduction Support Champion Intervention. It aims to reduce opioid overdoses and the negative feelings (stigma) associated with substance use. The program will train friends and family members who do not use opioids, but know someone who does, to become "harm reduction champions." These champions will learn about tools and services that can help prevent overdose and support people who use opioids. The study will look at how often overdoses happen, and how often people access harm reduction services and tools, over 6 months. This study is currently unclear on its recruitment status, and plans to enroll 600 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific intervention. It plans to enroll 600 participants.
What's involved
Participants will be educated on harm reduction tools and services, and trained to become peer harm reduction support champions. They will be asked to recruit one friend or family member who uses opioids to the study. Participants will have measurements taken at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 6 months after starting the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06823453

Reducing Overdose and Substance Use-related Stigma by Training Non-substance-using Friends and Family Members of People Who Use Opioids to Be Harm Reduction Champions

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalPrevention
University of Illinois at Chicago
~600 participants
Updated 2026-02-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Peer Harm Reduction Support Champion Intervention

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Overdose Frequency and Experiences
Measured over baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months
+2 more outcomes measured
Opioid Overdose Prevention
People Who Use Opioids/People With Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
Reduction of Substance Use-related Stigma
Non-substance-using People With a Friend or Family Member Who Uses Opioids
Peer Harm Reduction Support Champions
1 sites across 1 states
Illinois1
  • Leslie D. Williams, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Illinois at Chicago

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

  • Overdose Frequency and Experiencesbaseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months

    Overdose frequency and experiences will be measured using participant self-report on items used by the Investigators in previous studies of PWUD. Items will ask about the number of overdoses participants experienced in the last three months (at baseline) and since the last interview (for follow-up). For each overdose reported, items will ask whether the participant was alone, whether naloxone was used, whether first responders were called, and whether an emergency room visit occurred. Participants will also be asked to report on whether they were present while someone else overdosed, and if so, whether they or someone else used naloxone.

  • Number of Types of Harm Reduction Services Accessedbaseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months

    This will be measured using participant self-report. Participants will be asked about their harm reduction service access and use in the last three months (at baseline) and since the last interview (for follow-up). Specifically, participants will be asked to report on how many times they accessed or received naloxone and fentanyl test strip kits, used fentanyl test strip kits, used "never use alone" hotlines, used "safe spaces" to use drugs or to experience withdrawal, used syringe service programs, tested for HIV or HCV, accessed medication for opioid use disorder, and accessed other types of drug treatment. A composite score will be computed reflecting the number of types of harm reduction tools and services accessed, which will be a count of all service/tool types accessed or used.

  • Frequency of Access to Harm Reduction Tools and Servicesbaseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months

    This will be measured using participant self-report. Participants will be asked about their harm reduction service access and use in the last three months (at baseline) and since the last interview (for follow-up). Specifically, participants will be asked to report on how many times they accessed or received naloxone and fentanyl test strip kits, used fentanyl test strip kits, used "never use alone" hotlines, used "safe spaces" to use drugs or to experience withdrawal, used syringe service programs, tested for HIV or HCV, accessed medication for opioid use disorder, and accessed other types of drug treatment. A composite score will be computed reflecting frequency of access to these tools and services, which will be a sum of the total number of times each participant used any of the harm reduction tools and services above.