NCADD-NJ is working with the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University to evaluate the Needle Exchange Treatment Initiative (NETI) on behalf of the New Jersey Division of Addiction Services (DAS).  Among other goals, the four-year research project aims to evaluate the clinical and social functioning client outcomes and to determine the comparative cost effectiveness of the NETI compared to traditional care or the absence of care.  Another aim of the research project is to describe the population being served by the NETI.  

NCADD-NJ’s role in the project includes providing staff to conduct in-depth interviews of 540 NETI clients.  The agency is also responsible for designing a system to collect and report on the data needed by CASA researchers.

The study will look at three components of the NETI:

1) Six treatment outreach programs that offer a range of client services,

2) Two supportive housing programs, and

3) Two sub-acute medical detoxification programs.