OBJECTIVE: Youth in the legal system are vulnerable to initiation and escalation of opioid use. The transition period during which a young person is released from the institutional setting to the community is a critical window of opportunity for preventive intervention targeting the uptake and intensification of opioid and other drug use. Adaptive preventive interventions are a promising approach to systematically varying the timing and intensity of substance use preventive interventions for these youth. METHOD: This pilot study of 30 youth (97% young men
37% White
RESULTS: Enrollment rate was 65%. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of enrolled youth had substance use disorder at intake. Moreover, 60% of enrolled participants completed the 2-month postrelease follow-up assessment. Participants reported high satisfaction with the interventionist interactions, and 95% indicated they would recommend the program to other youth. The pilot study revealed the need for several adaptations to study and intervention protocols. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study provides evidence of the feasibility of a research-practice partnership with state juvenile rehabilitation facilities, successful recruitment of youth involved in the legal system, and feasibility and acceptability of adaptive preventive interventions spanning pre- and post-release for legal system-involved youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).