Cannabis UseJJ-CAPENCT07700849
Brief Family-Based Cannabis Use Intervention for Youth With Early Juvenile Justice Involvement
A study testing Brief Family Based Intervention and Parenting Psychoeducation in people with Cannabis Use and Delinquency, run by Rhode Island Hospital at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn if a brief family-based intervention in effective in reducing cannabis use and delinquency in youth participating in juvenile diversion. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 16 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cannabis Use, Delinquency
- What is being tested?
- Brief Family Based Intervention and Parenting Psychoeducation
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 15 Jul 2026to 28 Feb 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 to 16 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Inclusion Criteria: 1) parent and youth are English or Spanish speaking, 2) legal guardian is able to consent for their own and juvenile's participation, 3) youth flags for CU on either the Drug/Alcohol scale of the MAYSI-2 or on the CRAFFT 2.0, 4) not currently in substance use treatment elsewhere, and 5) youth currently residing in the community.
Exclusion Criteria: Youth and parents will not be able to participate in the present study if they have developmental or cognitive delays or a major psychiatric disorder, documented in the intake materials, that would interfere with completing consent, assessments, or the intervention
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
Bradley-Hasbro Children's Research Center
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903
Kaitlin Sheerin, PhD, (401) 444-8945, ksheerin@brownhealth.org
About this study
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn if a brief family-based intervention in effective in reducing cannabis use and delinquency in youth participating in juvenile diversion. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Hypothesis 1: the intervention will be (a) feasible, as evidenced by enrollment rates (> 80%), follow-up rates (> 80%), and withdrawal rates (< 20%); and (b) acceptable, as evidenced by > 80% of treatment evaluation ratings in the highest two Likert rating categories and positive exit interview feedback.
Read more
Hypothesis 2: those parents in the experimental condition, as compared to the active comparison psychoeducation condition, will evidence greater improvement over time in the hypothesized family-level mechanisms proposed in the intervention (i.e., parenting practices and parent well-being) as well as in youth-level outcomes, including cannabis use, recidivism, and HIV/STI risk.
Researchers will compare the family-based treatment to parenting psychoeducation. Caregiver and youth participants will complete measures relevant to primary outcomes and putative mechanisms at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups.
Read the detailed description
Approximately 50% of youth with early juvenile justice system (JJS) involvement (i.e., diverted youth with less severe or first-time arrest histories) screen positive for cannabis use.Cannabis use is especially problematic for youth with early JJS involvement, given research suggesting that cannabis use is linked with continued and chronic involvement in the JJS. Moreover, cannabis use among justice-involved youth (JIY) is also associated with other consequences, including HIV/STI risk behaviors (e.g., lack of condom usage). Early JIY who use cannabis also differ from youth without justice involvement, such that they are more likely to belong to marginalized communities and also evidence worse family functioning. Thus, this population warrants specialized interventions targeting cannabis use and associated consequences.
To date, the most effective cannabis and other substance use interventions for youth in the JJS are largely intensive, personalizable family-based models (e.g., multisystemic therapy), which also have documented efficacy in reducing the risk for HIV/STIs and long-term criminal involvement. However, these models were intended for youth with serious juvenile justice involvement and, thus, early JIY are rarely referred to these services.21 Such models are also likely overly intensive for treating cannabis use among early JIY. Despite evidence suggesting parenting practices, parent well-being, and family functioning are linked to cannabis use, delinquency, and HIV/STI risk behaviors for early JIY, there is a concerning lack of family-based services addressing cannabis use and other risk behaviors specifically developed for early JIY. Therefore, there is still a need for family-based interventions for early JIY. However, these interventions should be briefer in nature, so that they can be implemented as part of a larger continuum of care within the JJS.
The primary goal of this NIDA-funded K23 research project is to adapt an existing evidence-based family-based intervention to families of early JIY who screen positive for cannabis use. The proposed 6-session, modular, family-based intervention will be delivered via telehealth and primarily focus on changing parent behaviors, consistent with prior family-based interventions for the present population.The modules will focus on: 1) psychoeducation delivered in motivational interviewing style (e.g., encouraging caregivers' role in preventing substance use), 2) parenting practices (e.g., supervision, managing peer relations), and 3) parent well-being (e.g., increasing social support). Family intervention strategies across these modules will be adapted from existing evidence-based interventions and personalized to best meets each youth and parents' clinical needs (consistent with NIDA Goal 2.3). Our objective will be to understand the initial efficacy of the intervention in treating adolescent cannabis use and other important, related outcomes (e.g., HIV/STI risk behaviors) through a pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT).
Primary aim. Evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and initial family-level mechanisms and youth substance-use related outcomes of a brief, family-based intervention for early justice-involved youths. A pilot RCT (N = 60) will be conducted in which youth and families will be randomized to either the proposed family-based intervention or parent psychoeducation. The youth and their primary caregiver will participate in these conditions via telehealth and will complete follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months. H1: the intervention will be (a) feasible, as evidenced by enrollment rates (> 80%), follow-up rates (> 80%), and withdrawal rates (< 20%); and (b) acceptable, as evidenced by > 80% of treatment evaluation ratings in the highest two Likert rating categories and positive exit interview feedback. H2: is that those parents in the experimental condition, as compared to the active comparison psychoeducation condition, will evidence greater improvement over time in the hypothesized family-level mechanisms proposed in the intervention (i.e., parenting practices and parent well-being) as well as in youth-level outcomes, including cannabis use, recidivism, and HIV/STI risk.
- Conditions
- Cannabis Use, Delinquency
- Being tested
- Brief Family Based Intervention, Parenting Psychoeducation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Brief Family Based InterventionBehavioural
The intervention is proposed as 6 sessions long and will have the following modules: 1) Introduction to Treatment; 2) Parent Training Strategies (clinician must cover at least 1 topic from this module); 3) Improving Parent Well-Being (clinician must cover at least 1 topic from this module); and 4) Treatment Termination and Future Planning. Youth may attend the first and last session, in addition to other relevant sessions (e.g., household rules/consequences); parents will attend every session. Clinicians will use measures available from the baseline assessment relevant to treatment mechanisms (i.e., indices of parent well-being and parenting skills, the initial clinical interview from the first session, and the family's treatment goals to determine session content.
Parenting PsychoeducationBehavioural
Psychoeducation in the comparison group will involve 6 hour-long sessions delivered via secure videoconferencing focused on providing parents with key developmental knowledge regarding adolescence and parenting. To differentiate the psychoeducation provided in the intervention group, sessions will focus on typical adolescent development and parenting knowledge derived from Centers for Disease Control publicly available information.The first two sessions will provide information about typical developmental milestones in adolescence (e.g., increased need for privacy and independence). The third and fourth session will provide information on healthy vs. unhealthy behaviors in adolescence (e.g., safe driving behaviors). Finally, the final two sessions will give parents' knowledge regarding general positive parenting practices to shape healthy adolescent development. This is an active comparison condition seeking to change parents' parenting knowledge regarding typical challenges parents
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Family-based intervention | Experimental | The family-based intervention is proposed as 6 sessions long and will have the following modules: 1) Introduction to Treatment; 2) Parent Training Strategies (clinician must cover at least 1 topic from this module); 3) Improving Parent Well-Being (clinician must cover at least 1 topic from this module); and 4) Treatment Termination and Future Planning (see Table 1 for information regarding modules and session content). Youth will attend the first and last session, in addition to other relevant sessions (e.g., household rules/consequences); parents will attend every session. Receives: Behavioral: Brief Family Based Intervention |
| Parenting Psychoeducation | Active comparator | Psychoeducation in the comparison group will involve 6 hour-long sessions delivered via secure videoconferencing focused on providing parents with key developmental knowledge regarding adolescence and parenting. To differentiate the psychoeducation provided in the intervention group, sessions will focus on typical adolescent development and parenting knowledge derived from Centers for Disease Control publicly available information. The first two sessions will provide information about typical developmental milestones in adolescence (e.g., increased need for privacy and independence). The third and fourth session will provide information on healthy vs. unhealthy behaviors in adolescence (e.g., safe driving behaviors). Finally, the final two sessions will give parents' knowledge regarding general positive parenting practices to shape healthy adolescent development. This is an active comparison condition seeking to change parents' parenting knowledge regarding typical challenges parent Receives: Behavioral: Parenting Psychoeducation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Timeline Follow-Back
This youth report measure assess for past 90-day youth cannabis, alcohol, other drug use, as well as risky sexual behaviors on use days.
Measured: The Timeline Follow-Back will be administered at baseline, 3-months, and 6-months post baseline.
Official arrest records
Official arrest records will be collected as an index of recidivism among youth.
Measured: Official arrest records will be collected for the 12 months following baseline.
Marijuana Adolescent Problem Inventory
This youth-reported measure assesses for cannabis-related consequences among youth.
Measured: We will collect this measure at baseline, 3-months, and 6-months post baseline.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Jul 2026
- Study start15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion28 Feb 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion28 Feb 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cannabis UseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Rhode Island Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kaitlin Sheerin, Rhode Island Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07700849
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2079613
- Other IDs
- K23DA058014
- Acronym
- JJ-CAPE
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Given the doubly-protected nature of this population (i.e., children and youth with juvenile justice involvement), we will not be sharing IPD with other researchers.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Brief Family-Based Cannabis Use Intervention for Youth With Early Juvenile Justice Involvement
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07700849
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- JJ-CAPE / 2079613
- Conditions
- Cannabis Use, Delinquency
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Rhode Island HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Study start
- 15 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 28 Feb 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 28 Feb 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn if a brief family-based intervention in effective in reducing cannabis use and delinquency in youth participating in juvenile diversion. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Hypothesis 1: the intervention will be (a) feasible, as evidenced by enrollment rates (> 80%), follow-up rates (> 80%), and withdrawal rates (< 20%); and (b) acceptable, as evidenced by > 80% of treatment evaluation ratings in the highest two Likert rating categories and positive exit interview feedback.
Hypothesis 2: those parents in the experimental condition, as compared to the active comparison psychoeducation condition, will evidence greater improvement over time in the hypothesized family-level mechanisms proposed in the intervention (i.e., parenting practices and parent well-being) as well as in youth-level outcomes, including cannabis use, recidivism, and HIV/STI risk.
Researchers will compare the family-based treatment to parenting psychoeducation. Caregiver and youth participants will complete measures relevant to primary outcomes and putative mechanisms at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups.
Detailed description
Approximately 50% of youth with early juvenile justice system (JJS) involvement (i.e., diverted youth with less severe or first-time arrest histories) screen positive for cannabis use.Cannabis use is especially problematic for youth with early JJS involvement, given research suggesting that cannabis use is linked with continued and chronic involvement in the JJS. Moreover, cannabis use among justice-involved youth (JIY) is also associated with other consequences, including HIV/STI risk behaviors (e.g., lack of condom usage). Early JIY who use cannabis also differ from youth without justice involvement, such that they are more likely to belong to marginalized communities and also evidence worse family functioning. Thus, this population warrants specialized interventions targeting cannabis use and associated consequences.
To date, the most effective cannabis and other substance use interventions for youth in the JJS are largely intensive, personalizable family-based models (e.g., multisystemic therapy), which also have documented efficacy in reducing the risk for HIV/STIs and long-term criminal involvement. However, these models were intended for youth with serious juvenile justice involvement and, thus, early JIY are rarely referred to these services.21 Such models are also likely overly intensive for treating cannabis use among early JIY. Despite evidence suggesting parenting practices, parent well-being, and family functioning are linked to cannabis use, delinquency, and HIV/STI risk behaviors for early JIY, there is a concerning lack of family-based services addressing cannabis use and other risk behaviors specifically developed for early JIY. Therefore, there is still a need for family-based interventions for early JIY. However, these interventions should be briefer in nature, so that they can be implemented as part of a larger continuum of care within the JJS.
The primary goal of this NIDA-funded K23 research project is to adapt an existing evidence-based family-based intervention to families of early JIY who screen positive for cannabis use. The proposed 6-session, modular, family-based intervention will be delivered via telehealth and primarily focus on changing parent behaviors, consistent with prior family-based interventions for the present population.The modules will focus on: 1) psychoeducation delivered in motivational interviewing style (e.g., encouraging caregivers' role in preventing substance use), 2) parenting practices (e.g., supervision, managing peer relations), and 3) parent well-being (e.g., increasing social support). Family intervention strategies across these modules will be adapted from existing evidence-based interventions and personalized to best meets each youth and parents' clinical needs (consistent with NIDA Goal 2.3). Our objective will be to understand the initial efficacy of the intervention in treating adolescent cannabis use and other important, related outcomes (e.g., HIV/STI risk behaviors) through a pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT).
Primary aim. Evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and initial family-level mechanisms and youth substance-use related outcomes of a brief, family-based intervention for early justice-involved youths. A pilot RCT (N = 60) will be conducted in which youth and families will be randomized to either the proposed family-based intervention or parent psychoeducation. The youth and their primary caregiver will participate in these conditions via telehealth and will complete follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months. H1: the intervention will be (a) feasible, as evidenced by enrollment rates (> 80%), follow-up rates (> 80%), and withdrawal rates (< 20%); and (b) acceptable, as evidenced by > 80% of treatment evaluation ratings in the highest two Likert rating categories and positive exit interview feedback. H2: is that those parents in the experimental condition, as compared to the active comparison psychoeducation condition, will evidence greater improvement over time in the hypothesized family-level mechanisms proposed in the intervention (i.e., parenting practices and parent well-being) as well as in youth-level outcomes, including cannabis use, recidivism, and HIV/STI risk.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Family-based intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Brief Family Based InterventionThe family-based intervention is proposed as 6 sessions long and will have the following modules: 1) Introduction to Treatment; 2) Parent Training Strategies (clinician must cover at least 1 topic from this module); 3) Improving Parent Well-Being (clinician must cover at least 1 topic from this module); and 4) Treatment Termination and Future Planning (see Table 1 for information regarding modules and session content). Youth will attend the first and last session, in addition to other relevant sessions (e.g., household rules/consequences); parents will attend every session. |
| Parenting Psychoeducation | Active comparator | Behavioral: Parenting PsychoeducationPsychoeducation in the comparison group will involve 6 hour-long sessions delivered via secure videoconferencing focused on providing parents with key developmental knowledge regarding adolescence and parenting. To differentiate the psychoeducation provided in the intervention group, sessions will focus on typical adolescent development and parenting knowledge derived from Centers for Disease Control publicly available information. The first two sessions will provide information about typical developmental milestones in adolescence (e.g., increased need for privacy and independence). The third and fourth session will provide information on healthy vs. unhealthy behaviors in adolescence (e.g., safe driving behaviors). Finally, the final two sessions will give parents' knowledge regarding general positive parenting practices to shape healthy adolescent development. This is an active comparison condition seeking to change parents' parenting knowledge regarding typical challenges parent |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Brief Family Based InterventionThe intervention is proposed as 6 sessions long and will have the following modules: 1) Introduction to Treatment; 2) Parent Training Strategies (clinician must cover at least 1 topic from this module); 3) Improving Parent Well-Being (clinician must cover at least 1 topic from this module); and 4) Treatment Termination and Future Planning. Youth may attend the first and last session, in addition to other relevant sessions (e.g., household rules/consequences); parents will attend every session. Clinicians will use measures available from the baseline assessment relevant to treatment mechanisms (i.e., indices of parent well-being and parenting skills, the initial clinical interview from the first session, and the family's treatment goals to determine session content. | Behavioural | Family-based intervention |
| Parenting PsychoeducationPsychoeducation in the comparison group will involve 6 hour-long sessions delivered via secure videoconferencing focused on providing parents with key developmental knowledge regarding adolescence and parenting. To differentiate the psychoeducation provided in the intervention group, sessions will focus on typical adolescent development and parenting knowledge derived from Centers for Disease Control publicly available information.The first two sessions will provide information about typical developmental milestones in adolescence (e.g., increased need for privacy and independence). The third and fourth session will provide information on healthy vs. unhealthy behaviors in adolescence (e.g., safe driving behaviors). Finally, the final two sessions will give parents' knowledge regarding general positive parenting practices to shape healthy adolescent development. This is an active comparison condition seeking to change parents' parenting knowledge regarding typical challenges parents | Behavioural | Parenting Psychoeducation |
Primary outcome
Timeline Follow-Back
Time frame: The Timeline Follow-Back will be administered at baseline, 3-months, and 6-months post baseline.
This youth report measure assess for past 90-day youth cannabis, alcohol, other drug use, as well as risky sexual behaviors on use days.
Official arrest records
Time frame: Official arrest records will be collected for the 12 months following baseline.
Official arrest records will be collected as an index of recidivism among youth.
Marijuana Adolescent Problem Inventory
Time frame: We will collect this measure at baseline, 3-months, and 6-months post baseline.
This youth-reported measure assesses for cannabis-related consequences among youth.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Given the doubly-protected nature of this population (i.e., children and youth with juvenile justice involvement), we will not be sharing IPD with other researchers.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Brief Family Based Intervention and Parenting Psychoeducation in people with Cannabis Use and Delinquency, run by Rhode Island Hospital at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Kaitlin Sheerin, PhD ((401) 444-8945, ksheerin@brownhealth.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Timeline Follow-Back (time frame: The Timeline Follow-Back will be administered at baseline, 3-months, and 6-months post baseline.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Jul 2026.