Research
Explore our library of research products including academic publications, reports on research and outcomes, policy briefs, videos of webinars, animations, and more. Research products are organized by initiative and/or by type, with the most recent items at the top of the list. Search by topic with the search bar at the top of the page.
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May 2025Journey mapping drug seizures among police, public health and local nonprofit professionals, and community members who use drugsThis study explores how police drug seizures, intended to reduce harm, can unintentionally increase overdose risk for people who use drugs (PWUD). Interviews with police, public health professionals, and PWUD in Indianapolis reveal that seizures often lack coordinated public health responses, leading to harmful outcomes. The findings emphasize the need to center the experiences of PWUD in harm reduction and public health strategies to better mitigate the negative effects of drug enforcement practices.Harm reductionPublication -
April 2025Entangled: How people with serious mental illness get caught in misdemeanor systemsThis book, by Wayne State University School of Social Work Professor Amy Watson and fellow scholars scholars Michael Compton, M.D., and Leah Pope, explores why people with serious mental illness (SMI) are overrepresented in the criminal legal system, particularly through low-level arrests. Drawing from a multisite study and perspectives in social work, criminology, and psychiatry, the book examines systemic failures, like inadequate mental health services and housing, and calls for multi-system reforms centered on recovery, racial equity, and community-based solutions. Several members of the CBHJ community contributed to Entangled, including Jessica Gaskin, Kaitlyn Kok, Erin Comartin, L.M.S.W., Hosanna Fukuzawa, and Leonard Swanson.Treatment ecosystemsOtherBook
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February 2025Harm Reduction Street Outreach (HRSO) project: The 2022 - 2024 Final Evaluation ReportThe Harm Reduction Street Outreach (HRSO) pilot project in Indiana, funded by SAMHSA COVID-19 relief and Opioid Settlement Funds, deployed 18 teams statewide from January 2022 to December 2024 to expand access to harm reduction services. Supported by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), the project increased the availability of harm reduction materials and enhanced team knowledge on overdose response, naloxone use, and emerging drug trends. Recommendations for future DMHA funding include supporting comprehensive harm reduction practitioners, enhancing professional development, data management, case management, and expanding full-time employment opportunities.Harm reductionReport
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February 2025An exploratory two-part study of behavioral health service needs of women in jailsWomen in jails experience disproportionately high rates of mental illness and substance use disorders, yet their needs often go unmet. This study examines behavioral health disparities among jailed women and men across eight Michigan jails, highlighting differences in mental health conditions, substance use, withdrawal risks, and service engagement. Findings suggest that jails should improve screening, advocacy for early release, and access to care, particularly for women. Addressing these gaps through tailored interventions and tracking behavioral health needs could reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for incarcerated individuals.ReentryPublication
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January 2025A comparison of behavioral health crisis response models in meeting behavioral health goals and improving criminal legal diversionThis study compares the effectiveness of three community mental health crisis response models - co-response, mobile response, and office-based response - and law enforcement-only response in improving behavioral health outcomes and increasing diversion from the criminal legal system. Data from five Michigan sites revealed that mobile response was the most effective in achieving key goals such as crisis resolution, service linkage, and follow-ups, while co-response showed moderate success and law enforcement-only models had limited impact. The findings highlight the importance of specialized crisis response approaches in advancing the goal of SAMHSA to effectively meet behavioral health needs.Crisis responsePublication
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December 2024Winter 2024 NewsletterCBHJ Director Sheryl Kubiak announces the launch of the organization's refreshed mission, vision, and values; Jenny Kimmel joins the CBHJ's AOT initiative; a new endowed research assistant opportunity for students enhances behavioral health; Naloxone vending machines drive increase in overdose prevention in jails; and more.DiversionReentryTreatment ecosystemsYouth justiceHarm reductionCrisis responseWayne County jail/mental health initiativeNewsletter
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December 2024Examining potential extralegal factors leading to out-of-home placement for first-time status offenders in a large urban countyThis study explores the potential disparities in the judicial processing of status offenders within the U.S. juvenile justice system, with a focus on how race, gender, and offense type impact the likelihood of receiving out-of-home placements. Logistic regression models were used to examine first-time offenders from a large urban Midwestern County, with special attention paid to status offenders. The findings reveal that Black status offenders and those charged with incorrigibility are disproportionately subjected to out-of-home placements, despite the typically minor nature of status offenses. These findings necessitate attention to how status offenders move through the juvenile justice system. Implications for practice within the juvenile justice system, policy reforms, and the need for continued scholarly efforts are discussed.Youth justicePublication
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December 2024An examination of Black-White disparities in repeat nonfatal opioid overdose incidents, fatal drug overdose, and all-cause mortality in Detroit, MichiganOverdose deaths among Black men have risen by 38% since 2015, highlighting the need for local data to guide harm reduction efforts. This study linked EMS and vital records data to examine how demographics and repeated nonfatal opioid overdoses (NFOO) influence drug-related and all-cause mortality. Each additional NFOO increased overdose death risk by 17%. Black individuals experienced more NFOOs but were 60% less likely than White individuals to die from overdose, though their all-cause mortality rate was nearly double. Findings emphasize the need for expanded overdose prevention and broader healthcare access to reduce mortality disparities in affected communities.Treatment ecosystemsPublication
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November 2024Association between community violence exposure and teen parental firearm ownership: Data from a nationally representative studyThis study explores the link between community violence and parental firearm ownership in homes with teens. Findings suggest that parents and caregivers who experience community violence may be more likely to keep firearms at home. These insights highlight the need for public health efforts that promote safe storage practices and community-based violence prevention to reduce youth firearm access and improve safety.Harm reductionPublication
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September 2024Naloxone vending machines in county jailThe overdose epidemic in the United States has intensified following the introduction of illicitly manufactured fentanyl to drug markets with recent estimates indicating 110,000 deaths in 2022 and longer-term trends adversely impacting national life expectancy. A period of incarceration has been identified as a critical touchpoint for overdose prevention given its strong association with risk of overdose. This paper describes efforts funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant to design and implement naloxone vending machines that provide free naloxone within county jails to returning citizens and those visiting county jail facilities.Treatment ecosystemsHarm reductionPublication
