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

Launched by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · Oct 30, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called iDECIDE, is studying a new program designed to educate and support middle and high school students who have recently broken school rules about substance use. The main goal is to see if this program can help students understand the effects of drugs, change their attitudes towards substance use, and ultimately reduce their risky behaviors. About 300 students who have violated school substance use policies in the past month will participate. Some students will take part in the iDECIDE program, while others will be in a waitlist control group to compare the results.

To be eligible for the study, students need to be currently enrolled in middle or high school and have violated substance use policies within the last month. They should also have a parent or guardian who can agree to their participation. Participants will need to commit to attending nine study visits over the course of a year and should have access to the internet and a device for video calls. This trial is important because it aims to offer a constructive way to address substance use issues among adolescents, rather than just punishing them. If you're interested or think your child might benefit, it's a great opportunity to learn more about substance use in a supportive environment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Currently enrolled in middle or high school;
• • 2. Violated school substance use policy within approximately the past month at the time of screening;
• • 3. Have a parent or legal guardian who is able and willing to provide written informed consent (if under the age of 18);
• • 4. Competent and willing to provide written informed assent (if under the age of 18) or written informed consent (if age 18 or older);
• • 5. Able to commit to 9 study visits over approximately one year;
• • 6. Able to safely participate in the protocol and appropriate for outpatient level of care, in the opinion of the investigator;
• • 7. Has access to a reliable internet connection and a device that can run Zoom;
• • 8. Able to read and write comfortably in one of the languages spoken by study staff.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Ever received substance use treatment in an inpatient or specialty care setting;
• • 2. Gross cognitive impairment, for example due to florid psychosis, intellectual disability, developmental delay, or neurodegenerative disease;
• • 3. Ever engaged in intravenous (IV) drug use;
• • 4. Current daily use of alcohol, non-medical benzodiazepines, and/or opioid use.