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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  June 2023

  Assessing rural-urban differences in screening for mental health needs among individuals in county jails

  This study compared individuals booked into rural and non-rural jails, analyzing demographics, behavioral health, and criminal histories. Rural jail detainees were more likely to be white, female, have mental health histories, misuse substances, and recidivate. They also had 1.5 times greater odds of having a mental illness but were less likely to be identified by jail staff. These findings suggest rural jails face challenges in recognizing behavioral health needs, potentially limiting access to diversion or treatment opportunities for affected individuals.

  Diversion

  Reentry

  Publication
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  May 2023

  Applied machine learning analysis: Factors correlated with injection drug use and post-prison medication for opioid use disorder treatment engagement

  This study examined factors linked to injection drug use (IDU) and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) engagement among individuals recently released from prison. Data from a Midwestern reentry program showed that those with Hepatitis C and a history of overdose were most likely to report IDU. MOUD engagement was highest among those taking psychiatric medication with a history of IDU. The findings highlight the need for stronger reentry support within criminal/legal systems to improve treatment access and reduce overdose risk, emphasizing targeted interventions for vulnerable populations to improve health outcomes and reduce recidivism.

  Reentry

  Treatment ecosystems

  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.

  Crisis response

  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