RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06115746

A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Novel Drug Education and Diversion Program (iDECIDE) for Middle and High School Students

Sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Enrollment

300 participants

Start Date

Nov 17, 2023

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Substance Use Harm Reduction Adolescent Behavior

Summary

The primary goal of this study is to test the effectiveness of the iDECIDE (Drug Education Curriculum: Intervention, Diversion, and Empowerment) curriculum, a novel drug education and diversion program, in approximately 300 middle and high school students, who have violated their school substance use policies in the past month, as an alternative to punitive school responses for school-based substance use infractions. This randomized controlled trial will test the hypothesis that adolescents randomized to the iDECIDE curriculum will have improved substance use outcomes (i.e., knowledge, attitudes, and behavior) compared to adolescents in a waitlist control group. The outcomes of this study will measure knowledge of drug effects and brain development, perceptions of harm from substance use, willingness to quit or reduce use, and substance use behavior.

Eligibility

Min Age: 9 YearsMax Age: 22 Years

Inclusion Criteria8

Currently enrolled in middle or high school;
Violated school substance use policy within approximately the past month at the time of screening;
Have a parent or legal guardian who is able and willing to provide written informed consent (if under the age of 18);
Competent and willing to provide written informed assent (if under the age of 18) or written informed consent (if age 18 or older);
Able to commit to 9 study visits over approximately one year;
Able to safely participate in the protocol and appropriate for outpatient level of care, in the opinion of the investigator;
Has access to a reliable internet connection and a device that can run Zoom;
Able to read and write comfortably in one of the languages spoken by study staff.

Exclusion Criteria3

Ever received substance use treatment in an inpatient or specialty care setting;
Ever engaged in intravenous (IV) drug use;
Current daily use of alcohol, non-medical benzodiazepines, and/or opioid use.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALiDECIDE

iDECIDE is a 4-session drug education and diversion program that addresses topics such as the neurobiology and addiction, adolescent brain development, industry tactics, motives for using substances, risk and protective factors, identifying triggers, healthy alternatives, core values, and long-term goal setting. These topics are taught via facilitated discussions, videos, worksheets, and handouts. The iDECIDE drug curriculum will be delivered weekly for 4 weeks via videoconference or in-person visits. Each session typically takes 60-75 minutes. For this study, facilitators are members of study staff.