NCT04811014

Young Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System

Houston Emergency Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 250 (estimated)
• Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 13 Years – 17 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The Houston Emergency Response Opioid Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents (Young HEROES) is a community-based research program integrating assertive outreach, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), behavioral counseling, and peer recovery support. The objective is to compare differences in engagement and retention in treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. The investigators also intend to understand the prevalence of opioid overdoses and OUD among youth in Houston.

Detailed description

The Houston Emergency Response Opioid Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents (Young HEROES) is a non-randomized cohort study based at the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston. This study recruits participants through three avenues: assertive community outreach with a peer coach and paramedic following and opioid overdose, community referrals, and emergency department referrals. The study explores the effect of the combination of assertive outreach, same-day induction into medication for opioid use disorder, ongoing maintenance treatment, behavioral counseling, peer recovery support, and paramedic follow-up on patient outcomes. The primary outcome is engagement and retention in outpatient treatment. Secondary outcomes include quality of life assessment as well as subsequent relapses and overdoses. The hypothesis is that patients with earlier induction into MOUD treatment who receive routine follow-up, are more likely to engage and remain in treatment long-term.

Conditions

• Opioid-use Disorder
• Opioid Dependence
• Opioid Overdose
• Opioid Use
• Substance Use Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination	8mg of buprenorphine/2mg of naloxone to initiate MOUD treatment and bridge, if necessary, until referral to MOUD clinic can be made for ongoing treatment
BEHAVIORAL	Individual Counseling	One-on-one counseling with a licensed chemical dependency counselor
BEHAVIORAL	Peer Recovery Support Services	24/7 support from our team of certified peer recovery support specialists to assist with emotional support and case management
BEHAVIORAL	Support Group	Referrals to youth-focused support groups and eventual creation of in-house youth-focused support groups
BEHAVIORAL	Referral to Medication Management	Study staff will refer patients to long-term MOUD providers in the community
BEHAVIORAL	Assertive Outreach	The investigators will conduct weekly outreach to youths who experienced an opioid overdose and attempt to initiate treatment. Outreach is completed by a paramedic and peer coach.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-04-19
• Primary completion: 2030-08-31
• Completion: 2030-08-31
• First posted: 2021-03-23
• Last updated: 2025-10-01

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study