Preventing Overdose and Promoting Recovery through Court Navigation​

Study Information

This study team is implementing a peer-led court navigator program inside county courthouse settings, which are rarely used for interventions. Researchers are the effectiveness of peer recovery specialists acting as court navigators in linking individuals to substance use treatment. The study aims to determine how well the court navigation improves connections to treatment and affects overdose and public safety outcomes, as well as to identify barriers and facilitators in implementing these programs within court systems. The research team seeks to establish courthouses as viable venues for connecting individuals to community-based behavioral health services, which could significantly enhance public health and safety.


Grant number: 1R01DA064492

Link to NIH Reporter record: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/QKxoFSxQLE-9nglMCU0J6Q/project-details/11261302

Study Team

PI: Bradley Ray

Study Aims

  • Assess the effectiveness of court navigation vs. information-only control with respect to linkage to substance use treatment in a randomized controlled trial​
  • Assess the effectiveness of court navigation vs. an information-only control with respect to overdose and arrest outcomes in a randomized controlled trial​
  • Explore barriers and facilitators to implementing peer-led court navigation in criminal-legal systems​

Research Type

Hybrid Type 1 Trial