Southern Consortium Node Mission

The Southern Consortium Node (SCN) has been an integral part of the NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) since 2000. Over the past 20 years, we have expanded our geographic reach and research practice settings. We are building on this expanded network with a research agenda focused on best practices in bringing evidence-based care to underserved populations in rural areas. We are exploring the use of technology in addressing the health disparities of rural populations, identifying gaps in the continuum of care for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and identifying critical outcomes. We employ Learning Health System (LHS) principles, using our implementation team to move positive findings into partnering healthcare systems.

The primary aims of the SCN are:

To develop and test technologic strategies to improve the conduct of clinical trials and the delivery of SUD clinical care, particularly addressing health disparities in rural areas.

To collaborate with health systems, locally and regionally, to support learning health system principles by embedding and implementing SUD research into clinical care in general health care settings, utilizing best practices in implementation science.

To serve as a training platform for education and workforce development in the arena of SUD research for individuals from diverse health care disciplines.

To develop and test innovative treatments, as well as implementation and linkage strategies, to improve patient and system-level SUD care outcomes.