NIH sets up research network for treating opioid addiction in criminal justice settings

The NIH announced yesterday it was awarding $155 million in grants for research into treatment for those in jails and other criminal justice settings who have opioid use disorder. The move comes amid increasing attempts from state and federal governments to address the opioid epidemic and make treatment available widely. Opioid use disorder disproportionately affects those in criminal justice settings, National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Dr. Nora Volkow said in a statement, and implementing treatment strategies will be important to prevent them from relapsing, especially as they go back to their communities. The grants will go toward establishing the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network across 12 research universities and health centers, with George Mason University in Virginia serving as the main center.