News from the Pacific Northwest Node: Two New Publications about CTN-0082

The PNW Node has two new publications out, both related to CTN-0082:

“Not a monolith”: Type-specific MOUD awareness and rural willingness among direct service providers and clients.

Laschober TC, et al. Poster presented at the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) annual meeting, June 14-17, 2026.

This poster describes the results of a survey of CBO providers and clients across 13 Southern U.S. CBOs (FL, GA, LA, MS, and TN) that found that, compared with methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone awareness was lower for both providers and clients, though providers were more aware of all types of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) than clients. Additionally, providers reported greater willingness to refer for buprenorphine and naltrexone than clients reported willingness to be referred. These types of misalignments can hinder MOUD uptake and contribute to high overdose rates and limited MOUD access in the South.

Perceived effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use and interest in medications for opioid use disorder and naloxone among people who use opioids in the Southern United States.

Laschober TC, et al. Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion 2026 (in press).

This paper describes a study looking at the effects of the pandemic on self-reported change in drug and alcohol use and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and naloxone interest in a population and region hit hard by the opioid crisis: people who use illicit opioids. Results found no significant change in use of opioids, non-opioid drugs, or alcohol, and interest in MOUD or naloxone. This suggest stability amidst challenging times in this sample of people who use illicit opioids in the Southern U.S.

Posted on June 12, 2026