TCU
The Institute of Behavioral Research at TCU has received a five-year, $7.2 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to study “deflection” approaches that connect people with unmet substance use needs to community-based services as early as possible — rather than through arrest or prosecution.
Led by Dr. Jenny Becan, IBR senior research scientist, and Dr. Kevin Knight, professor and IBR director, the TCU BRIDGE to Deflection Project — “Building Resilient Initiatives for Deflection through Greater Engagement” — will run from Sept. 1 through May 2030.
The project is part of the Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network (JCOIN) Phase II, a national initiative supported by NIDA to improve approaches to addressing opioid use and overdose in justice-involved populations — those people who have had contact with the criminal justice system — and aligns with the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, which seeks to accelerate scientific solutions to the national opioid crisis.
Duke University, New York University School of Medicine, and six other research institutions were also designated JCOIN 2.0 clinical research hubs, with each conducting independent studies.
“This project aims to address the interconnected challenges of substance use and crime by actively engaging local community members in deflection efforts,” Becan said in a statement. “We expect the study to deepen understanding of how deflection improves outcomes for people who use drugs and to inform best practices for communities nationwide.”
The university announced the award on Friday.
Working within 20 communities across Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, BRIDGE will strengthen locally driven deflection models by fostering community engagement, interagency collaboration, and advocacy. Core partners include local law enforcement, first responders, and behavioral health providers, who will collaborate with TCU researchers to test innovative implementation strategies and evaluate impacts on public health and safety.
“BRIDGE is an innovative and significant extension of continuous NIH-funded research at TCU’s IBR over the past three decades in public health and safety,” Knight said. “As a leading research institute within TCU’s College of Science & Engineering, IBR continues to secure NIH funding that advances our national leadership in research with real-world impact.”
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number RM1DA064502. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
“TCU’s Institute of Behavioral Research tackles some of the biggest issues in public health, so the NIH’s support of this collaborative effort with other leading universities allows us to deliver immediate impact for our community and beyond,” said Reuben Burch, TCU vice provost for research. “This is an ideal example of how TCU faculty are leading the way with research that makes a difference in the world while enhancing our students’ academic experience. We are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Knight and his team in securing such a prestigious award, demonstrating TCU’s excellent research capacity.”