Project Overview

A group of undergraduate Ball State students in a year-long immersive learning class (HSC 301/302) sought to understand people's attitudes, knowledge, and level of support for harm reduction strategies for substance use disorders in Muncie, Indiana. This session will highlight both qualitative and quantitative data, obtained from a community-wide survey and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders with healthcare providers, elected officials, and law enforcement officers, to provide a clearer picture on our community's understanding of and support for harm reduction to address substance use disorder. Based on this data, students developed three interventions to promote harm reduction on campus and in the community: 1) students developed infographics based on primary and secondary data sources to communicate to administrators at Muncie Community Schools about the risks of poor substance use outcomes among students; 2) students delivered fentanyl test strips and treatment and recovery resource lists to areas where drug use is high; and 3) students drafted a policy proposal to support Narcan Boxes on the Ball State University campus. To engage in this work, students detailed their own process of learning about substance use disorders, identifying stigma, bias, and prejudice, and taking steps to overcome tendencies that undermine public health solutions. The overall purpose of our project was to apply the health promotion planning process to a stigmatized health topic, such as substance use. To do so, we assessed needs, developed goals and objectives, developed interventions, implemented the interventions, and then conducted an evaluation. The planning process was integrated into the activities of other community organizations, including the Addictions Coalition of Delaware County, the 8twelve Coalition, and the Muncie Folk Collaborative. The outcomes of our project included quantitative and qualitative data, which formed the basis of data-driven interventions to address substance use disorders. On another level, this project produced insights into various aspects of stigma, both on the part of the student researchers and faculty members, as well as in the wider campus and community, and generated ample reflection on how to mitigate stigma in the health promotion planning process. This project highlights the tangible and intangible products that resulted from community-engaged research activities in an immersive classroom environment.

Students: Kaitlyn Arivett, Maddie Campbell, Lulu Chikonka, Madison Crouch, Erin Curry, Kendell Dettmer, Corynn Drabek, Meggan Goldenstern, Taylor Grider, Cailey Heyl, Olivia Kelly, Josh Melrose, Anna Perkins, Maxwell Rogers, Shayna Sanderson, Symone Session, Samantha Smith, LaTrey Smoot, Caitlin Susong, Ali Weeks

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jean Marie Place
Community Partners: Muncie Folk Collective, Addictions Coalition of Delaware County, 8twelve Coalition