Overdose Prevention Intervention for Drug Overdose

(Oasis Trial)

Overseen By Carl Latkin, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Disqualifiers: Mental, physical impairments, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 5 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

285 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help people who inject drugs reduce their risk of HIV and hepatitis C and prevent overdoses. Participants will be divided into groups: one group will receive six sessions of behavioral training, while the other will receive standard attention. This trial suits those who currently use opioids and want to learn ways to stay healthier and safer. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could improve health outcomes for people who use drugs.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that harm reduction programs, which aim to prevent overdoses and the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, are generally safe and effective. A study by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services found that these programs not only save lives but also reduce hospital visits and prevent new cases of hepatitis C. This suggests that participants generally respond well to them.

Another study from the CDC highlighted how harm reduction efforts can decrease the risk of drug overdoses. These findings suggest that the approach used in the trial is likely safe for people who inject drugs. While the trial itself lacks a specific phase, the methods being tested have a proven record of safety and effectiveness in similar programs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it focuses on a holistic approach to overdose prevention by integrating HIV, HCV, and overdose prevention strategies through behavioral training. Unlike traditional overdose treatments that primarily focus on emergency responses or medication, this method emphasizes proactive education and behavior modification. Participants receive six sessions of behavioral training, equipping them with crucial skills to manage and prevent overdoses effectively. Additionally, the study includes an attention control group to ensure that the observed effects are genuinely due to the intervention and not external factors. This comprehensive approach has the potential to offer more sustainable and long-term solutions to overdose prevention.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for overdose prevention?

This trial will evaluate an overdose prevention intervention that includes behavioral training. Research has shown effective methods to prevent HIV, hepatitis C, and drug overdoses. For HIV, taking a daily pill called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can lower the risk of infection by up to 99% if taken regularly. For hepatitis C, studies have found that regular testing and treatment can reduce infection rates by up to 45%. To prevent overdoses, naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and has been shown to cut overdose deaths by up to 46%. These findings highlight the potential success of prevention programs for people who inject drugs. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Carl Latkin, PhD

Principal Investigator

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for current opioid users who have used within the last two weeks. It's aimed at people who inject drugs and are at risk of HIV, hepatitis C, or drug overdose. Participants must be able to engage in the study without mental or physical health issues interfering.

Inclusion Criteria

Current drug user (opioid use in the prior two weeks)

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any health issues that prevent me from participating.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive peer education and risk reduction materials in semi-public injection settings

6 months

6 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in overdose and HIV/HCV prevention behaviors

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• HIV, HCV and overdose prevention

Trial Overview

The study tests a new peer-driven intervention designed to reduce the risks of HIV, hepatitis C virus transmission, and overdoses among those who inject drugs. It's a pilot program focusing on injection settings.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Experimental Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

behavioral training with 6 sessions

Group II: comparison Active Control 1 Intervention

Attention control

HIV, HCV and overdose prevention is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan, Switzerland for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as HIV PrEP, HCV Treatment, MAT, Naloxone for:

• HIV prevention
• HCV treatment
• Opioid use disorder treatment
• Opioid overdose reversal

Approved in United States as HIV PrEP, HCV Treatment, MAT, Naloxone for:

• HIV prevention
• HCV treatment
• Opioid use disorder treatment
• Opioid overdose reversal

Approved in Canada as HIV PrEP, HCV Treatment, MAT, Naloxone for:

• HIV prevention
• HCV treatment
• Opioid use disorder treatment
• Opioid overdose reversal

Approved in Japan as HIV PrEP, HCV Treatment, MAT, Naloxone for:

• HIV prevention
• HCV treatment
• Opioid use disorder treatment
• Opioid overdose reversal

Approved in Switzerland as HIV PrEP, HCV Treatment, MAT, Naloxone for:

• HIV prevention
• HCV treatment
• Opioid use disorder treatment
• Opioid overdose reversal

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

441

Recruited

2,157,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Heroin overdoses have become more common, with risk factors including recent abstinence and polydrug use, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention strategies.

Naloxone is a safe and effective treatment for reversing heroin overdose effects, as it quickly counteracts respiratory depression and sedation, making it a crucial tool for overdose prevention in communities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prescription naloxone: a novel approach to heroin overdose prevention. Sporer, KA., Kral, AH.[2022]

In a study of 204 HIV-negative patients at a substance use disorder bridge clinic, 27% were eligible for HIV prevention methods (PEP and PrEP), indicating a significant need for these services among people who inject drugs (PWID).

While most eligible patients were offered PEP or PrEP, only a small percentage (14.6%) of those eligible for PrEP were actually prescribed it, highlighting the need for further investigation into barriers to accessing these critical HIV prevention treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HIV Exposure Prophylaxis Delivery in a Low-barrier Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic during a Local HIV Outbreak at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Braun, HM., Walter, C., Farrell, N., et al.[2023]

The DOPE Project trained 1,942 individuals in San Francisco to use naloxone, with 11% reporting they used it during an overdose event, demonstrating a willingness among injection drug users to learn and apply overdose response strategies.

Naloxone was highly effective, with 89% of overdose events reversed when naloxone was administered, and fewer than 1% of participants reported serious adverse effects, highlighting its safety and efficacy as a life-saving intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overdose prevention and naloxone prescription for opioid users in San Francisco. Enteen, L., Bauer, J., McLean, R., et al.[2021]

A pilot program for overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) in a Philadelphia jail showed that it is feasible and effective, with significant improvements in overdose knowledge and attitudes among 68 participants who were still incarcerated one month later.

The program specifically targeted people living with HIV (PLWH) and demonstrated that OEND can be beneficial for vulnerable populations in correctional settings, suggesting it should be expanded to include other at-risk groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in overdose knowledge and attitudes in an incarcerated sample of people living with HIV. Reed, M., Siegler, A., Tabb, LP., et al.[2023]

Since 1996, community-based programs have trained over 53,000 individuals and distributed naloxone, leading to 10,171 reported reversals of opioid overdoses, highlighting the efficacy of naloxone in preventing fatal outcomes from opioid overdoses.

Naloxone is specifically effective for reversing opioid overdoses, but it does not work on non-opioid overdoses, emphasizing the need for targeted education and distribution of naloxone among those at risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community-based opioid overdose prevention programs providing naloxone - United States, 2010. [2022]

Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote for opioid overdose, with a long history of use by healthcare professionals, and expanding access to it for high-risk individuals and their families is a key public health initiative.

While naloxone is generally safe, its administration can lead to varying levels of adverse reactions, especially with higher doses or intravenous use, highlighting the importance of training for non-healthcare professionals in recognizing overdoses and administering naloxone correctly.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of naloxone safety for opioid overdose: practical considerations for new technology and expanded public access. Wermeling, DP.[2020]

The iRaPID program, which provides same-day access to HIV prevention (PrEP) and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), is being pilot tested to assess its feasibility and acceptability among people who inject drugs, with 50 participants enrolled in the study.

This innovative approach aims to reduce barriers to accessing critical health services, potentially improving uptake of both PrEP and MOUD, which is essential in addressing the dual challenges of opioid use and HIV prevention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nurse Practitioner-Led Integrated Rapid Access to HIV Prevention for People Who Inject Drugs (iRaPID): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Khati, A., Altice, FL., Vlahov, D., et al.[2023]

In a study of 46,846 individuals with opioid use disorder, buprenorphine treatment significantly reduced the risk of opioid-related overdose compared to no treatment, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.40.

In contrast, both extended-release injectable and oral naltrexone did not show a significant reduction in overdose risk, indicating that buprenorphine may be a more effective option for preventing overdoses in patients undergoing treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overdose following initiation of naltrexone and buprenorphine medication treatment for opioid use disorder in a United States commercially insured cohort. Morgan, JR., Schackman, BR., Weinstein, ZM., et al.[2022]

A study involving 122 HIV clinicians showed that on-site peer-to-peer training significantly increased their likelihood to prescribe naloxone, with an odds ratio of 4.1, indicating a strong positive change in attitudes towards naloxone prescribing.

The intervention led to a notable increase in the number of clinicians prescribing naloxone across 18 out of 22 sites, with a 2.9 times higher incidence rate of naloxone prescriptions post-intervention, although the overall percentage of HIV patients receiving naloxone only modestly increased from 0.97% to 1.6%.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prescribe to Save Lives: An Intervention to Increase Naloxone Prescribing Among HIV Clinicians. Friedmann, PD., Jawa, R., Wilson, D., et al.[2023]

In a study of people with HIV on chronic opioid therapy, receiving naloxone rescue kits was found to be uncommon, highlighting a gap in overdose prevention measures.

While a history of overdose increased the likelihood of receiving naloxone, the presence of clinicians providing overdose prevention care did not significantly impact naloxone co-prescribing, suggesting a need for improved practices among healthcare providers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Naloxone receipt and overdose prevention care among people with HIV on chronic opioid therapy. Kimmel, SD., Walley, AY., Lodi, S., et al.[2023]

The M2HepPrEP trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated care model for providing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment directly at syringe service and opioid agonist therapy programs, involving 500 participants who have injected drugs in the past 6 months.

This study will compare on-site care with patient navigation to off-site clinics, focusing on adherence to PrEP and HCV treatment outcomes, potentially demonstrating a more effective approach to addressing these co-occurring health issues among people who inject drugs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

M2HepPrEP: study protocol for a multi-site multi-setting randomized controlled trial of integrated HIV prevention and HCV care for PWID. Martel-Laferrière, V., Feaster, DJ., Metsch, LR., et al.[2022]

Buprenorphine is a safe and effective medication for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in individuals with HIV, helping to reduce cravings and overdose risks while improving HIV care outcomes.

Despite its proven benefits, there is a significant gap in the implementation of buprenorphine prescribing in HIV care settings, highlighting the need for HIV clinicians to obtain waivers and integrate OUD education into their training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Call to Action: Integration of Buprenorphine Prescribing Into the Care of Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Opioid Use Disorder. Fujita, AW., Wilson, JD., Kennedy, AJ.[2022]

A performance improvement project involving 47 opioid-dependent inpatients and their families showed that overdose prevention training significantly increased their ability to recognize an opioid overdose and their comfort in assisting during an overdose situation.

Despite 32% of family members being aware of a prior overdose, the training highlighted the importance of naloxone education and harm reduction strategies, suggesting that such programs are beneficial and should be integrated into residential treatment settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opioid overdose prevention in a residential care setting: Naloxone education and distribution. Pade, P., Fehling, P., Collins, S., et al.[2018]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5887278/

Hepatitis C Treatment Outcomes for People Who Inject ...

Fifty-three participants started therapy, and 91% achieved sustained virologic response. SSPs provide an effective venue for HCV treatment.

2.

academic.oup.com

academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaf368/8202696

Potential Impact of Frequent Testing for Hepatitis C Virus ...

In the main analysis, testing on average once per 6 months reduced HCV infection prevalence, incidence, and HCV-related deaths by up to 45%, 37% ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2055664024000311

Long-term outcome in people who use drugs successfully ...

All individuals accepted the offer to remain in long-term follow up, with a statistically significant reduction in fentanyl use over time.

4.

harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com

harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01211-1

Study assessing the effectiveness of overdose prevention ...

[44] Our primary outcomes will include fatal and non-fatal overdoses, injection-related infections (i.e., skin and soft tissue infections, ...

5.

michigan.gov

michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2025/09/25/harm-reduction

MDHHS study finds harm reduction efforts make significant ...

– Harm reduction programs have saved lives, reduced hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits and prevented hepatitis C (HCV) cases, ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9034074/

M2HepPrEP - PubMed Central - NIH

The results of this study have the potential to demonstrate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of offering PrEP and HCV treatment in ...

7.

cdc.gov

cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/php/od2a/harm-reduction.html

OD2A Case Study: Harm Reduction | Overdose Prevention

Read about how harm reduction works to reduce drug overdose from a case study from Overdose Data to Action in Illinois.

8.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6085134/

Challenges Facing a Rural Opioid Epidemic: Treatment ...

This article reviews recent epidemiologic trends in HIV and HCV and strategies for treatment and prevention of these infections as they relate to the opioid ...

9.

cdph.ca.gov

cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/VA_ActionPlan_Chklst.pdf

California Fatal Opioid Overdose and HIV or Hepatitis C ...

Vulnerability to a rapid increase in HIV or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and/or fatal opioid overdoses varies by county. Nonetheless, all counties in ...