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Center of Biomedical Research Excellence on Opioids and Overdose at Rhode Island Hospital

Background

The new National Institutes of Health-funded COBRE (Center of Biomedical Research Excellence) on Opioids and Overdose at Rhode Island Hospital aims to establish excellence in research on opioids and overdose. The Center is funded by a 5-year grant to Rhode Island Hospital from the National Institute on General Medical Sciences (Grant Number P20GM125507) and led by the Multiple Principal Investigator team of Josiah Rich, M.D., M.P.H. and Traci Green, Ph.D., M.Sc. of Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital. Drs. Rich and Green are both experienced researchers who are recognized as national experts in the epidemiology of opioid and other illicit substance use.

The multi-disciplinary, thematic research center is responding not only to the opioid use and overdose epidemics, but also to a significant gap in research locally and nationally. By bringing together researchers, policymakers, public health officials, community-based organizations, and scientists from complementary disciplines across Rhode Island (RI), the project team seeks to contribute to the scientific community and to help shape the policies and practices that will curb this epidemic at the community-level.

Goals

The work of the COBRE on Opioids and Overdose reflects valuable lessons learned in RI regarding the crucial need for more research regarding the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of opioid use disorder, as well as efficient and effective translation of research evidence into policy practice. The long-term goal of the Center is to develop and sustain a critical mass of investigators specializing in opioids and overdose that benefits affected populations and enhances the competitiveness of affiliated investigators and propels additional research and funding in this critical area. For more information about the COBRE Center on Opioids and Overdose, please contact the Administrative Coordinator, Gayle Fraser at gfraser@lifespan.org.