This document invites social workers and health care professionals to participate in a student research project studying attitudes and beliefs about adolescent and young adult non-medical prescription opioid abuse. The anonymous 13 question survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and aims to gather descriptive data on the prevalence and severity of opioid abuse among this population. There are no foreseeable risks to participating, though it may contribute to greater social work understanding. Any questions can be directed to the listed student researchers or faculty instructor.

1. Student Research Project
Adolescent and Young Adult Opioid Abusers
Information Sheet
You are invited to participate in this course research project that will gather descriptive
information related to attitudes or beliefs about adolescent and young adult non-medical
prescription opioid abuse. You were selected as a possible participant because you are a social
worker or health care professional who works with this population. This project is being
conducted as a part of Scientific Inquiry for Social Work (SWK 3790). The group members
conducting this study are Emily Walth, Cara Thornburg, and Lauren Marsh, and the course
instructor, Adjoa D. Robinson, PhD, MSW.
Background and purpose
The purpose of this study is to gather descriptive data on a topic of interest to social work,
specifically, the prevelance and severity of nonmedical prescription opioid abuse among
adolescents and young adults.
Procedures
If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete a 13 question survey which is
anonymous so no one will be able to identify a specific individual's information. It is important
that we have as many people as possible complete and submit this survey to gather information
related to the research topic. It is expected that the survey will take ten minutes to complete.
Risks
There are no foreseeable risks associated with participation in this course research project.
Benefits
Although it is unlikely that you will benefit directly from participation in this study, your
participation will contribute to greater understanding of social work issues and positively
contribute to the student learning.
Anonymity
All survey responses will be collected anonymously. No identifiers will be collected and it will
not be possible for anyone, even the researcher, to connect individual responses to you.
Questions
Any questions or concerns about this setting should be directed to the researchers: Emily Walth
(ewalth@msudenver.edu), Lauren Marsh (lmarsh5@msudenver.com), and Cara Thornburg
(cthornbu@msudenver.edu) or their instructor Adjoa D. Robinson, PhD MSW (email:
arobin56@msudenver, phone: 303.556.6163). This research has been reviewed and approved by
the Ethics Committee of the Social Work Department at MSU Denver. If you would like to talk
to someone other than the researchers or have questions about your rights is a study participant
please contact Dr. Adjoa Robinson.
Agreement to participate
By starting and/or completing the survey you are indicating that you are at least 18 years of age
and you agree to participate in the study. After you complete the survey we would greatly appreciate
if you could pass along our Survey Monkey link to your colleagues and other health care and
rehabilitation professionals.