Young Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System
YHEROES
Houston Emergency Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents
1 other identifier
interventional
250
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The Houston Emergency Response Opioid Engagement System for Youths and Adolescents (Young HEROES) is a community-based research program integrating assertive outreach, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), behavioral counseling, and peer recovery support. The objective is to compare differences in engagement and retention in treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. The investigators also intend to understand the prevalence of opioid overdoses and OUD among youth in Houston.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for phase_4
Started Apr 2021
Longer than P75 for phase_4
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
March 17, 2021
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
March 23, 2021
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
April 19, 2021
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
August 31, 2030
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
August 31, 2030
October 1, 2025
September 1, 2025
9.4 years
March 17, 2021
September 26, 2025
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Patient retention in treatment
Percentage of enrolled youth in treatment over time
30 days after enrollment
Patient abstinence from opioids
Days without substance use
30 days after enrollment
Secondary Outcomes (1)
Frequency of opioid emergencies among adolescents in Houston, Texas
Through study completion, an average of 3 years
Study Arms (1)
MOUD induction and behavioral interventions among opioid-dependent youths
EXPERIMENTALInduction into medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment and behavioral interventions
Interventions
8mg of buprenorphine/2mg of naloxone to initiate MOUD treatment and bridge, if necessary, until referral to MOUD clinic can be made for ongoing treatment
One-on-one counseling with a licensed chemical dependency counselor
24/7 support from our team of certified peer recovery support specialists to assist with emotional support and case management
Referrals to youth-focused support groups and eventual creation of in-house youth-focused support groups
Study staff will refer patients to long-term MOUD providers in the community
The investigators will conduct weekly outreach to youths who experienced an opioid overdose and attempt to initiate treatment. Outreach is completed by a paramedic and peer coach.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- In otherwise good health based on physician assessment and medical history
- Drug screen positive for opioids
- Patients express a willingness to stop opioid use
- Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for opioid dependence
- Patients must be able to speak English
- Be agreeable to and capable of signing the informed consent and assent (parent or guardian must consent, minor must assent)
You may not qualify if:
- Non-English-speaking patients
- Have a known sensitivity to buprenorphine or naloxone
- Have a medical condition that would, in the opinion of the study physician, make participation medically hazardous, including unstable cardiovascular disease, neurological deficits, trauma, acute hepatitis, stroke, and liver or renal disease)
- Be acutely psychotic, severely depressed, and in need of inpatient treatment, or is an immediate suicide risk
- Be a nursing or pregnant female
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
James R Langabeer, PhD
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- phase 4
- Allocation
- NA
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- SINGLE GROUP
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
March 17, 2021
First Posted
March 23, 2021
Study Start
April 19, 2021
Primary Completion (Estimated)
August 31, 2030
Study Completion (Estimated)
August 31, 2030
Last Updated
October 1, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-09