The project focuses on \u201cdeflection\u201d approaches in 20 communities across the country that redirect people toward community-based services prior to potential incarceration.<\/p>\n
The project started in September and will work with first responders and behavioral health providers in communities spanning New Mexico, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado and Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect the study to deepen understanding of how deflection improves outcomes for people who use drugs and to inform best practices for communities nationwide,\u201d Jenny Becan, a senior research scientist at TCU\u2019s Institute for Behavioral Health, said in a press release.<\/p>\n
The BRIDGE \u2014 which stands for building resilient initiatives for deflection through greater engagement \u2014 to Deflection Project is a continuation of research being done with Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network, a national program that aims to prevent overdoses \u201camong the high-risk justice-involved population,\u201d according to the initiative\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n TCU was a research hub for the network in 2021, focusing on improving \u201csafety outcomes for reentering justice-involved individuals who have a history of (or are at risk for) using opioids,\u201d according to an article<\/a> summarizing the study.<\/p>\n The university was among a dozen institutions that served as hubs in the first phase of the innovation network, which ran from 2018 to 2025. The NIH awarded those hubs about $172 million in total and followed the outcomes of more than 23,000 people.<\/p>\n This second phase of the network\u2019s efforts will look at intervention possibilities at earlier points and how those can be expanded on a larger scale to other communities.<\/p>\n Eight other research institutions are serving as clinical research hubs for the second phase with each conducting independent studies.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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\u2019 academic experience,\u201d said Reuben Burch, TCU vice provost for research, in a press release.<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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