Established and endorsed by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees in March 2022, our initiative operates within the Capstone College of Nursing as UA's latest research endeavor. We are enthusiastic about gaining recognition for pioneering, culturally sensitive research in the realm of substance use and associated conditions. Our overarching goal is to advance the health and welfare of individuals and communities within Alabama and beyond. Through our research, we aspire to diminish health disparities, enhance health equity, and tackle the social determinants influencing health outcomes.​