Ball State Launches Center for SUD Research

Ball State University has announced the formation of a Center for Substance Use Research and Community Initiatives (SURCI), a new initiative within its College of Health that will facilitate student and community engagement and research activities.

The program will focus on facilitating “high-impact, interdisciplinary, evidence-based, and community-engaged addictions research and interventions” to promote and strengthen mental and behavioral healthcare capacities at local, regional, state, and national levels.

The center, which has a partnership wand affiliation with the Addictions Coalition of Delaware County (Indiana), will collaborate with elected officials and community service providers, including Open Door Health Services, IU Health, Meridian Health Services, and Centerstone Health Services. In addition to conducting addictions-related research, the SURCI will serve as a resource, communication, training, and support hub for faculty, staff, students, and community members who provide substance use disorder treatment services, and it will also aim to increase community-based interventions for addiction in the East-Central region of Indiana.

SURCI is led by Ball State Assistant Professor of Social Work Dane Minnick, PhD, along with Jean Marie Place, PhD, associate professor of health science, who will serve as director of community research and administration, and Jonel Thaller, PhD, associate professor of social work, who will serve as director of community engagement.

Reference

Ball State University’s College of Health establishes Center for Substance Use Research and Community Initiatives. News release. Ball State University. March 10, 2022. Accessed March 11, 2022.