Current Projects

 

SDSU DUIP
San Diego State University Driving Under the Influence Program
Principal Investigators: M. Barker and S.I. Woodruff
Funding Source: Fee for Service
Project Period: Continuous

The Driving Under the Influence Program (DUIP) began in January 1991, under a contract with the County of San Diego to provide drinking driver education and counseling services in the Central Judicial District of San Diego County. The DUIP provides services to approximately 3,500-4,000 first and multiple conviction offenders per year. Participants are referred by the Courts or the Department of Motor Vehicles in California and in some instances, from other states. The primary mission of the DUIP is to help reduce the incidence of driving under the influence and the negative consequences of this behavior for our community and its residents, and to assist participants in identifying and seeking solutions to their own alcohol and other drug problems. For more information on the SDSU DUI program please contact mbarker@sdsuduip.com

Pilot SBI to Reduce Alcohol Misuse Among Active Duty Military
Principal Investigator: M. Reed
Funding Source: Department of Defense
Project Period: 2014 – 2017

The Force Health Promotion Project is a feasibility and pilot testing project focusing on the use of an alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach in a military emergency department (ED). Numerous studies suggest that the transient nature of military life coupled with environmental stressors is associated with increased alcohol use and related problems. With the large number of US troops who have recently returned from combat, use of healthcare, including emergency departments (EDs), are likely to face a deluge of thousands of men and women in uniform with serious mental health problems, including alcohol misuse, brought on by the stress of war. Although the SBIRT approach has shown promise as a low-cost, effective strategy for reducing alcohol use in civilians many of whom are risky drinkers but not yet dependent, it has not been adapted or tested in military health care settings for active duty personnel. The Force Health Promotion Project is a 2.5 year civilian-military collaborative study between the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, and the San Diego State University Research Foundation’s Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies and Services. Dr. Mark Reed along with Drs Susan Woodruff, Melinda Hohman, Michael Matteucci, and Gerald DeMers will first make any necessary adaptations needed to use the SBIRT within a military setting, and then conduct a randomized control pilot trial with 800 patients with risky drinking behaviors; half receiving the SBIRT intervention and half will receive usual care.

HIV Care Continuum Study (Innovation in Meeting HIV-positive Patient Needs Across the Spectrum of Care: A System-Level intervention to improve workforce capacity in San Diego, California)
Principal Investigator: M.L. Zúñiga
Funding Source: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Project Period: 08/01/14-07/31/18

A health systems study to evaluate the efficacy of a Primary Care Medical Home Model intervention to support continuity of HIV-positive patient clinical care and improve patient health outcomes in a border region.

OTC Syringe Sales to Prevent HIV in Underserved Areas of Inland California
Principal Investigator: R. Pollini (M.L. Zúñiga, co-investigator)
Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Project Period: 2013 – 2016

This study will capitalize on the opportunity for a "natural experiment" in HIV prevention to assess the implementation of a new syringe access law, Senate Bill 41 (SB41), in the inland counties of California's Central Valley.

Comprehensive Support Services for Families Affected by Substance Abuse and/or HIV/AIDS
(Families First Study)
Principal Investigator: S. Spector (M.L. Zúñiga, program evaluator)
Funding Source: Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
Project Period 2012 – 2016

This study will develop and implement programs of comprehensive community-based support services for infants and young children, particularly those who have been perinatally exposed to a dangerous drug, those with, or who have been perinatally exposed to, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or those who have a life-threatening illness or other special medical need, and their natural families.

Prevention for Gambling Addiction
Principal Investigators: K. Tielking and T. Berthold
Funding Source: Government of Lower-Saxony (ministry of internal affairs)
Project Period: 2015 – 2018

The study will evaluate the effects of a manual for gamblers, called "Spirale nach oben" ("upward spiral"). It is a special program to reflect the situation of gamblers and to find a way to reduce or to stop the gambling.

Prevention for School Aged Children
Principal Investigators: K. Tielking and H. Fietz
Funding Source: Administrative District Aurich
Project Period: 2016 – 2017

Based on a survey with 3000 school aged children, the goal of this study is to develop a new concept of drug prevention in communities.

Prevention Throughout the Lifespan, by Protecting Citizens from Health Threats - Experiences with the Family Centre Aurich
Principal Investigators: K. Tielking
Funding Source: Community of Aurich
Project Period: 2012 – 2017

This study will develop and implement programs of prevention and health promotion for children, young adults, adults and the elderly.