Aced It

Opioid Epidemic

In this episode, we dive into the opioid crisis, focusing on recent trends and social factors. We’ll explore how fentanyl overdoses have surged across different regions and communities and discuss the key social issues like poverty and stigma that contribute to the epidemic. Join us for a closer look at these important studies and what they reveal about the path forward in tackling this crisis.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Dignity in SUD Treatment

In this season’s final episode, we explore the concept of dignity in home-based treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. We discuss recent research showing that someone’s dignity is enhanced when they are shown respect, cared for, and engaged in consistent and informed interactions. On the other hand, dignity is undermined in the presence of stigma, prejudice, or disrespect. Listen to this episode to learn why understanding these factors can improve the quality of care for individuals and is essential to bettering harm reduction efforts. 
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Empowering Change: The Impact of Peer Recovery Support

Having a sympathetic person by your side during difficult times of your life, like during recovery, can make barriers easier to overcome. Peer-recovery coaches can provide just this kind of support! In this episode, we look at what two decades worth of scholarship has to say about the usefulness of working with a peer-recovery specialist. From lowering rates of drug use and hospitalization to helping with behavioral-activation techniques, peer-recovery support is proving to be a quintessential aid to individuals who struggle with substances. 
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mobile Harm Reduction Units

Launched in 2018, the Community Care in Reach program, a mobile health unit, offers on-demand care for individuals who use substances. This vital care includes naloxone kits, syringe distribution, and other treatments, which are provided to marginalized populations. In this episode, we discuss the results of a study that examines this program’s impact, highlighting how it has successfully increased access to services for those who need it most. We also touch on future evaluations to assess the program’s cost-effectiveness and potential for broader implementation. 
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Safe Spaces: Evaluating Supervised Injection Programs

Supervised injection sites are a controversial topic. In fact, the United States still considers them illegal. Yet research out of Europe, Canada, and Australia all point towards the efficacy of these sites. In this episode, we dive into the scholarship that examines safe injection sites, and the effects they have on overdose mortality, injection behaviors, treatment access, and even neighborhood crime levels. Because of the legal limitations placed on U.S. sites, we also highlight how technological advancements have made it possible to use harm reduction over the phone using apps and even wearable technology!
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Peer Work as Precarious

This episode explores the realities of precarious work, particularly in peer-engagement roles within harm reduction. These positions can be informal, unstable, and not well compensated, and often impact people with lived substance-use experiences. We examine research that highlights issues surrounding precarious work, such as erratic work schedules and the lack of protection of peer workers’ rights. Listen to this episode to learn more about no-nonsense solutions, like better pay and formal employment standards to improve stability for peer workers.  
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Rethinking Harm Reduction in Hospitals

Why are patients with substance use disorders leaving hospitals against their doctor’s advice? In this episode, we discuss qualitative research that uncovers challenges faced by people with substance use disorders when they enter the hospital setting seeking care. We will also explore eye-opening studies that not only highlight these issues but offer innovative solutions to improve hospital-based substance use treatment. 
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

MMT Take - Home Policies and Patients

In this episode, we dive into the complexities of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), an intervention that has proven effective in reducing risks of overdose, legal system involvement, and drug-use-related illnesses. Although MMT has shown benefits for people who use drugs, it delivers low uptake and retention rates. Listen to this episode to learn more about recent illuminating research and recommendations for making MMT more patient friendly, improving transparency, and aligning it with other treatments. 
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Legal System Involvement: A Barrier to Harm Reduction

In this episode, we examine many barriers to harm reduction faced by people who have been involved with the criminal legal system. These barriers are engrained in a system that fails individuals with substance use disorders at nearly every corner, from limited staff knowledge about harm reduction to the lack of connection between institutional and community-based treatment. Listen to this episode to learn about what researchers have uncovered about system involvement and harm reduction.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Overdose, Harm Reduction, and Sex Workers

Sex workers experience higher drug use rates and greater risks of STIs as well as poor mental health. Yet there is little data on their specific overdose risks. In this episode, we review emerging and critically important research that analyzes the impact of police-related barriers to harm reduction for sex workers. We also highlight how sex-worker friendly harm-reduction efforts break down structural barriers to harm reduction faced by people who use drugs.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.