UROP Project

Opioid Use and Special Populations in Florida

opioid use disorder; opioid misuse; treatment; medications for opioid use disorder

Research Mentor: Dr. John Moore,
Department, College, Affiliation: Social Work, Social Work
Contact Email: jmoore6@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

The Florida’s Linked Opioid Response and Epidemiological Network for Comprehensive Evaluation (FLORENCE) Project examines the prevalence of opioid use behaviors and opioid use disorder (OUD) among Floridians to inform the state’s opioid abatement strategies.

The project integrates primary and secondary data sources. Primary data collection centers on the design, implementation, and analysis of a targeted survey assessing substance use behaviors, treatment access, service utilization, and related outcomes among Floridians with a history of opioid use disorder and incarceration. Secondary analyses draw on representative surveys and Medicaid claims data to estimate the prevalence of opioid misuse and OUD and to evaluate the reach and effectiveness of evidence-based treatments. Findings are intended to ultimately contribute to measurable reductions in opioid-related harm across Florida.

Students will contribute to the project by supporting the design, implementation, and data management of a primary survey assessing substance use behaviors, treatment access, and service outcomes among Floridians with histories of opioid use disorder and incarceration, as well as assisting with secondary analyses of representative surveys and Medicaid claims data.


Research Tasks: literature review, survey design and development, primary data collection, data management and cleaning, quantitative data analysis (primary survey and secondary sources).

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended skills: Literature searching, survey methodology and questionnaire design, data collection, data cleaning, quantitative statistical analysis and interpretation