Guiding Principles

RADAR's philosophy grew out of the basic findings of the Committee on Developing a Strategy to Reduce and Prevent Underage Drinking, a committee formed by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council in response to a congressional request in 2002.

Reducing substance use/abuse is a collective responsibility that is best addressed at the community level by changing the environment and community norms within which our youth make choices about tobacco, drinking, and drugs.   The whole community must be engaged and feel ownership of the substance-use problem. By working together toward a shared vision with a specific action plan we can bring about long-term change.

Very importantly, we are working to grow and enhance participation in, and effectiveness of, RADAR as a community coalition.   Working as a community we can make a difference!