Expanding the Opioids System Model to more comprehensively incorporate fentanyl, stimulants use, polysubstance use and associated outcomes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking to expand its Opioids System Model to more comprehensively incorporate fentanyl, stimulants, and polysubstance use and their interactive effects on opioids use, misuse, addiction, use disorder treatment, and associated outcomes. The main focus of this project is on modeling the growing number of opioid overdose deaths involving people who are primarily stimulant or polysubstance users. The research will also include quantification of the effects of harm reduction approaches on overdoses involving fentanyl and other polysubstance use. • The project aims to develop a quantitative system-dynamic model of the opioid crisis. • The model will help the FDA understand the complexity of the interconnected mechanisms of the crisis and assess potential impacts of possible policy actions. • The research will identify and incorporate aspects of mental health that are feasible for inclusion into the model. • The project will include a 1-year cooperative agreement. • Eligible applicants include nonprofits, small businesses, county governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and others.