Research

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  June 2023

  Summer 2023 Newsletter

  School of Social Work Dean and Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Founding Director Sheryl Kubiak is among the activists and artists featured in the Free Your Mind: Art and Incarceration in Michigan exhibition, on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD); Risk-Needs-Responsivity intervention for youth justice; and more.

  Diversion

  Reentry

  Treatment ecosystems

  Youth justice

  Crisis response

  Newsletter
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  June 2023

  Spatiotemporal Analysis Exploring the Effect of Law Enforcement Drug Market Disruptions on Overdose, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2020 2021

  This study examined how enforcement efforts to disrupt local drug markets by seizing opioids or stimulants were associated with increased spatiotemporal clustering of overdose events in the surrounding geographic area. A retrospective, population-based cohort study using administrative data from Marion County, Indiana was conducted. Within 7, 14, and 21 days, opioid-related law enforcement drug seizures were significantly associated with increased spatiotemporal clustering of overdoses within radii of 100, 250, and 500 meters. To a lesser extent, stimulant-related drug seizures were associated with increased spatiotemporal clustering overdose.

  Harm reduction

  Publication
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  April 2023

  What is a disposition matrix?

  A disposition matrix is a tool used to guide decisions about the best way to hold youth accountable for their unlawful behavior, while also supporting the youth's chance for success. The matrix incorporates data-driven best practices and is designed to ensure that youth receive the most appropriate level of supervision and services based on the seriousness of the offense and their risk of recidivism.

  Youth justice

  Policy brief
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  April 2023

  Best practices in juvenile justice

  The most effective interventions for youth take into account how brain development impacts youth's behaviors and decision-making impulses. What appears to be increasingly impulsive and delinquent behaviors may instead be developmentally appropriate thinking that will mature over time as the youth goes through adolescence. Research has shown that most youth who exhibit impulsive and sometimes delinquent acts do not carry these behaviors into adulthood. Given the right amount of positive support, even youth who are at high risk of recidivism can be redirected toward a healthy and successful developmental pathway.

  Youth justice

  Policy brief
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  April 2023

  The Risk-Needs-Responsivity approach

  The Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) approach is an evidence-based intervention for youth who engage in delinquent behaviors. It is centered on the principle that the risk factors and needs of the youth should determine the appropriate strategies for addressing the factors that underline the delinquent behavior. The RNR approach focuses on rehabilitative interventions that target dynamic factors known to contribute to delinquent behavior. The approach is based on three key principles: risk, need and responsivity.

  Youth justice

  Policy brief
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  March 2023

  The impact of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training on police use of force

  This study examined the level of force used by Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and non-CIT officers responding to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis (N = 382). Level of force was coded using National Institute of Justice (2009) strategy, least to most lethal. Analyses examined differences in officers’ use of force by CIT-training status and citizen characteristics. Results indicated CIT-trained officers were less likely to use any level of force and more likely to use the lowest level of force, compared to non-CIT-trained officers. CIT-trained officers were significantly less likely to escalate to higher levels of force, utilizing the lowest level of force more often.

  Diversion

  Publication
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  March 2023

  Harm reduction for behavioral health practitioners

  Harm reduction practices are becoming more popular in the United States, with many federal and state budgets allotting funding for the expansion of programs that apply these principles. While applying harm reduction principles is not a new practice, it has not been widely accepted or used in the United States in community-based settings until relatively recently. This webinar aims to educate participants about what harm reduction is, how to apply the concepts in agencies' service delivery, and the benefits for the individual, agency, and wider community when utilized. This webinar is for anyone who may benefit from this basic primer on harm reduction in community-based settings. Presenters include Mindy Vincent (Executive Director, Utah Harm Reduction Coalition), Joshua McLenithan (Lead Peer Recovery Coach, The Grand Rapids Red Project) and Emily Pasman (PhD Candidate, Wayne State University School of Social Work)

  Harm reduction

  Video
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  February 2023

  Harm reduction for people who use drugs

  Harm reduction is a philosophy and set of policies and practices centered on any positive change for a person using drugs, as expressed and defined by them. It meets people where they are and empowers them to address the reasons for their use as well as the use itself. Harm reduction is a mindset, human rights issue, and framework for action to reduce the harmful effects of drug use and any risky behavior, and does not promote these activities in and of themselves. This brief answers the question 'Why harm reduction?' and reviews evidence-based practices to reduce harm for people who use drugs.

  Harm reduction

  Policy brief
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  February 2023

  Substance Use and Violence Victimization Among Women: A Review of Relevant Literature

  A review of the recent scientific literature on the relationship between substance use and violence victimization among women in the United States is presented. Systematic review methodology adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses guidelines. In total, 15 studies were identified that met inclusion criteria. There is substantial evidence suggesting substance use (e.g., severity of use, types of substances used) is associated with women's violent victimization histories. Evidence suggests that women are uniquely situated in illicit drug markets and other illicit economies in a manner that increases their risk for violent victimization. The strengths and shortcomings of current theoretical explanations of substance use and violence victimization are discussed, as well as considerations for future research and interventions.

  Treatment ecosystems

  Publication
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  January 2023

  CareConnect 360: Enhancing safety for jails and justice-involved patients

  CareConnect360 (CC360) is a web application that contains Medicaid data for physical and behavioral health services created with the goal of improving coordination of care for Medicaid beneficiaries by providing a platform for cross-system information to be accessed. This brief describes how to use CC360 within a jail, what types of data are available, and future system improvements.

  Other

  Policy brief