Research Projects

Family Mediation Program for At-Risk Youth

Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse

PI: Joan Tucker

This study involves a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate a family mediation program aimed at preventing drug abuse and other problem behaviors among youth.

Drug Supply Reduction and Drug-related Crime in the EU

Sponsor: European Commission, DGLS

PI: Beau Kilmer, Stijn Hoorens

This work will provide a framework and beta data system to serve as the "proof of concept" for the development of a more comprehensive information system involving standardised data collected from all Member States as well as other relevant data from European agencies. The information system will include data elements that are critical for monitoring the supply of illicit drugs as well as drug-related crime enabling the evaluation of effectiveness, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of alternative policy approaches within Europe.

Evaluating the Casual Pathways from Lapse to Relapse in Smokers

Sponsor: National Cancer Institute

PI: Bill Shadel

Start Date: July 2008

End Date: June 2012

The goal of this project is to uncover the psychological variables that cause smokers to relapse. The results will be used to inform a new generation of more successful smoking cessation treatments.

Enhancing Prevention Capacity with Developmental Assets and Getting to Outcomes

Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse

PI: Matt Chinman

Start Date: June 2008

End Date: March 2013

This project will assess the impact of the Assets-Getting To Outcomes model on prevention capacity, performance, and youth outcomes in 12 community-based prevention coalitions.

Brief Substance Use Intervention for Youth in Teen Court

Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

PI: Elizabeth D'Amico

Start Date: September 2007

End Date: August 2012

This study will develop and test a theoretically based group intervention among teens who have committed a first time alcohol or other drug misdemeanor offense. These teens have been referred by the juvenile Probation Department to a Teen Court program because they have not been found to need more serious intervention such as treatment or detention. We will examine the impact of our new intervention on cognitive and behavioral outcomes at a three-month follow up.

Brief Voluntary Alcohol and Drug Intervention for Middle School Youth

Sponsor: National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA)

PI: Elizabeth D'Amico

Start Date: September 2007

End Date: June 2012

The current study builds on our previous work in which we developed and tested a voluntary after school intervention that targeted alcohol and drug use among middle school youth. The main objective of the proposed 5-year longitudinal study is to build on our initial work by conducting a more rigorous test of Project CHOICE in 16 middle schools.