About RADAR Network

The RADAR Network is sponsored by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's (CSAP) information component, SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI).

The Network is the largest substance abuse prevention and treatment infrastructure consisting of:

• State clearinghouses

• Prevention resource centers

• National, international, and local organizations supporting substance abuse prevention activities.

To date, there are approximately 709 active centers, and membership within the RADAR Network continues to grow.

There are four types of RADAR Network Centers:

• State Centers

• Specialty Centers

• Associate Centers

• International Centers

The RADAR Network Mission

The mission of the RADAR Network is to strengthen communication, prevention, and treatment activities among a broad range of organizations to address problems related to substance abuse. RADAR Network Centers are committed to keeping the national and international community informed about the latest regulations, scientific findings, campaigns and materials, and other resources about alcohol and drug use.

RADAR Network Goals

The RADAR Network contributes significantly to making prevention work in communities. The RADAR Network:

• Reduces overlap between Federal and State efforts

• Increases efficiency in information/knowledge exchange and transfer.

• Creates stronger linkages among Federal, State, and community-based prevention efforts

RADAR Network Services

The RADAR Network Centers gather and exchange information responding to both the immediate and the long-term substance abuse prevention needs of their communities, and operate as an integral part of NCADI's distribution system. The RADAR Network plays an integral role in supporting prevention efforts by supplying publications and research information. Through its close relationship with NCADI, the RADAR Network and its members receive a wealth of information, materials, and resources that enable it to provide and coordinate prevention outreach to special populations and regions, while addressing their own unique needs within the State. This is achieved by tailoring national resources to the values, beliefs, and cultural norms of each Center's constituencies.

For CSAP, the RADAR Network provides the "eyes and ears" from diverse segments of the substance abuse prevention field. Network members provide invaluable ideas and insights into CSAP's program planning (by proposing and reporting areas of need) and materials development process (through pretesting and other review processes in various stages of materials development). Materials, campaigns, and initiatives that are developed in this collaborative manner have greater local ownership and utility than "handed-down-from-the-top" initiatives. Network Centers agree to be easily accessible channels for the dissemination of new prevention messages, materials, and initiatives.