The networks have a common goal - the elimination or reduction of drug abuse and its related consequences. To achieve this goal, network members access existing information from multiple sources including drug abuse treatment agencies, public health offices, law enforcement agencies, hospital emergency departments, medical examiner and coroners' offices, and local school and household surveys.
Members meet periodically to review, compare, and draw conclusions from the data.
The data are reported in a standardized format to facilitate the review and comparative analyses. Qualitative studies may be conducted to help members understand the quantitative findings from existing data sets. Network members are individuals who are in a position to contribute and assess information about drug use in specific geographic areas. They may represent agencies and organizations that have some responsibility for addressing drug abuse problems or that benefit directly from acquiring information about drug abuse. Researchers and other individuals who have special knowledge about a particular issue or drug-abusing population also may participate.