Southwest Clinical Trials Node - The Southwest (SW) Node is committed to improving health outcomes among populations in the U.S. Southwest, including long-established communities, individuals in low-resource settings, and those in rural regions. We propose to expand the reach and impact of NIDA’s mission to advance science on the wide spectrum of substance use disorders (SUDs), and translate that knowledge into individual and public health improvements. This application unites resources and expertise from dedicated investigators, healthcare providers, and regional collaborators from New Mexico (NM) and Arizona (AZ) in a synergistic partnership that enhances our capacity for impact across the SW region. NM and AZ are both border states characterized by high rurality, limited prior engagement in research infrastructure, and a substantial presence of mobile populations. Both states are currently experiencing a severe SUD crisis, with overdose mortality rates significantly exceeding national averages and rising rapidly. These populations face elevated rates of opioid and methamphetamine use disorders, further challenged by external factors such as economic instability, housing insecurity, and employment barriers. There is an urgent need for the development, rigorous evaluation, and implementation of innovative solutions. The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (UNM HSC), Arizona State University (ASU), and their partners are committed to addressing the pressing healthcare challenges in the region. Strengthening the SW Node reflects a transformative vision for SUD science and healthcare—one where collaboration and innovation converge to create solutions that are more impactful together than alone. The SW CTN is enthusiastic about aligning with other Nodes facing similar challenges and sharing aligned goals to advance SUD research and practice across southwestern border areas. The SW Node brings extensive expertise in SUD research, including clinical trials, implementation and pragmatic trials, health informatics, psychosocial interventions, and collaborative methodologies involving local service providers and research participants. The Node supports research through robust academic infrastructure and rapid dissemination capabilities. Both UNM and ASU possess federal designations that enhance organizational connections and research capacity. UNM’s infrastructure includes the academic home at UNM HSC and its affiliated schools, colleges, hospitals, the ECHO Institute, the UNM Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, and Addictions (CASAA), and affiliates at New Mexico State University (NMSU). ASU contributes expertise from the College of Health Solutions, Department of Psychology, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, School of Social Work, Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC), and the Substance use and Addiction Translational Research Network (SATRN). UNM and ASU maintain strong collaborations with clinical and service partners across primary and specialty care, treatment environments, and other organizations dedicated to SUD treatment, risk mitigation, and prevention. Regional networks are essential to all aspects of program success. The SW Node is uniquely positioned to conduct rigorous research, disseminate findings, implement solutions, and inform practice and policy, supported by robust regional collaboration. The goals of the SW Node are to: (1) Generate strong evidence for enhancing SUD treatment engagement, retention, and delivery; (2) Extend innovative clinical and population-level interventions to reduce SUD-related impacts across the region; and (3) Build workforce capacity and improve care quality through focused training and education. Our proposed work aligns directly with NIDA’s priorities by addressing care delivery gaps, improving patient engagement, exploring emerging technologies, and evaluating novel interventions.
