Etheridge Foundation Awards Second Research Grant to UW PROTEA
The Etheridge Foundation is excited to announce the recipient of our second grant, further advancing our mission to support new scientific research into more effective treatments for opioid use disorder.
We have awarded $25,000 to the University of Wisconsin Program for Research, Outreach, Therapeutics, and Education in the Addictions (PROTEA) to help fund the completion of their study, “Adjunctive Effects of Psilocybin and Buprenorphine”.
This study, led by Dr. Randall Brown MD, PhD, DFASAM, is the first ever clinical trial specifically targeting Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with psilocybin.
Learn more about psilocybin on our blog.
As the UW PROTEA Director, Dr. Brown leads and collaborates on clinical trials, health services research, outreach, and education efforts. He is also an Associate Professor within the UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Director of the UW Center for Addictive Disorders, and the Program Director for the UW Addiction Medicine Fellowship Programs.
Dr. Brown said, “My lab is very excited to partner with the Etheridge Foundation on this important work. Engagement and retention in treatment for opioid use disorder represents a major challenge to stemming the tide of the opioid crisis. Our hope and expectation is that this study generates findings that will help optimize that engagement and retention, and reduce suffering.”
Studies that the Etheridge Foundation considers for grants must be focused on new treatments for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and meet three main criteria:
Use nature-based therapies, as this aligns with our mission to pursue solutions beyond conventional pharmaceutical treatments;
Take place in humans, as clinical trials are the most relevant type of research to effectively treating actual people; and
Use integrative modalities, with treatment protocols that consider underlying and root causes of addiction such as mental health disorders and trauma.
We’ve selected research programs not only for their innovative nature-based approaches to studying OUD, but also for their commitment to holistic values and their genuine care for the people affected.
The UW PROTEA aligns with this strategy, as a collaborative program of research, education, patient care, and community engagement to improve systems of prevention and treatment for substance-related issues. More than just an acronym, the Protea is also a flower that symbolizes transformation and courage.
“We’re so excited and honored to be invited to partner with The Etheridge Foundation as one of their initial research grant recipients in their quest to fund new scientific research into the causes and effects of opioid addiction,” said Jill Watson, AVP for Development of the Wisconsin Foundation.
PROTEA aims to:
innovate treatment and prevention systems in order to ensure timely access to competent, compassionate, and effective care for those struggling with substance related issues;
minimize the community level impacts and inequities associated with substance misuse; and
eliminate unfair and stigmatizing practices and policies related to alcohol and other drug use issues.
Ms. Watson continued, “As our country grapples with this devastating crisis, the important research and education conducted by Randy Brown here at our University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health through his PROTEA program aims to innovate treatment and prevention systems to care for these vulnerable populations.”