About Us
“Our Personal Experience is Necessary. Addiction Research Means Saving lives.”
O.P.E.N. A.R.M.S is a community advisory board under the Division of Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine (DSAAM).
Mission Statement
Our Background
Founded in October 2023, we are a group of individuals with lived experience of substance use disorder and recovery who meet monthly to offer consultation for substance use researchers.
Our Work
We are problem-solvers who provide a forum for frank and honest discussion and feedback to support successful clinical research at any stage ranging from recruitment, study design, interpretation of results, dissemination, and ethics.
Our Goal
Our goal is to support the development and implementation of substance use-focused studies to help improve the lives of those who use drugs.
Our Past Work
-
Dr. Leslie Suen’s “Observation of Comprehensive Testing on Opioid biomarkers and Public health in Users of fentanyl in San Francisco” (OCTOPUS)
-
Dr. Alex Bazazi’s “Opioid overdose prevention in the fentanyl era: qualitative research with overdose survivors to inform prevention intervention development and implementation”
-
Dr. Meredith Meacham’s discussion about research done on substances and internet (e.g. Reddit)
Contact Information
For researchers:
If you’re interested in collaborating with our CAB, fill this out: Consultation Form for Researchers.
For community members:
If you’re interested in joining the CAB, contact openarmscab@ucsf.edu.