TACUNA Program for Opioid Use Disorder
(TACUNA Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+2 other locations

Overseen byDaniel Dickerson, DO, MPH

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: RAND

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This study responds to Request For Application-DA-19-035, HEAL (Helping End Addiction Long Term) initiative: Preventing OUD in Older Adolescents and Young Adults (ages 16-30) by developing and implementing a culturally centered intervention to address opioid use among urban AI/AN emerging adults in California. The primary goal of this study is to compare AI/AN emerging adults who receive TACUNA plus a Wellness Circle (WC) to those AI/AN emerging adults who receive an opioid education workshop on outcomes (e.g., opioid misuse and alcohol and other drug use) over a period of 12 months. TACUNA will be a motivational interviewing group intervention that incorporates traditional practices and discussion of how to cultivate healthy social networks and cultural worlds. The Wellness gathering will be for emerging adults and people in their social network, and will focus on how social networks and cultural connectedness influence healthy behaviors. Opioid education will focus on discussion of opioid misuse within the AI/AN urban community and ways to reduce use in a culturally appropriate manner. Investigators expect those who receive TACUNA + WG will report less opioid and AOD (alcohol and other drug) use frequency, fewer consequences, less time spent around peers who use opioids and AOD, and less perceived prevalence of peer use compared to opioid education over a period of 12 months. Also, investigators will evaluate the intervention's effects on secondary outcomes of social networks and cultural connectedness. Survey data is collected at baseline, 3-months, 6-months and 12-months. Longitudinal analyses will compare intervention participant and control participants on primary and secondary outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for American Indian/Alaska Native individuals aged 18-25 who do not require substance treatment. It aims to help urban AI/AN young adults in California reduce opioid, alcohol, and other drug use through culturally centered interventions.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 25 years old.

You identify yourself as American Indian or Alaska Native.

You cannot have a current need for drug or alcohol addiction treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

I need treatment for substance use.

Participant Groups

The study compares two groups: one receiving TACUNA plus a Wellness Circle focusing on traditional practices and social networks, and the other attending an opioid education workshop tailored to the AI/AN community's needs.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: TACUNAExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Randomized participants will attend 3 virtual TACUNA workshops, focused on behavioral, physical, and spiritual domains, and designed to guide AI/AN youth to make healthy choices surrounding opioid and AOD use. They will also attend a Wellness Circle, focused on healthy social networks and engaging in traditional practices.

Group II: Opioid educationActive Control1 Intervention

Randomized participants will attend 1 virtual opioid education workshop, focused on behavioral and physical domains, and designed to guide AI/AN youth to make healthy choices surrounding opioid and AOD use.