Despite budget cuts, Boise State’s Idaho Regional Alcohol Drug Awareness Resource (RADAR) Center continues to educate the community about substance use and abuse. The center continues to thrive as staff has maintained and expanded their collection of information in the center and online.
Located in the Chrisway Annex, the RADAR Center is administered by the Institute for the Study of Behavioral Health and Addiction; a partnership between the College of Education and the College of Health Sciences. It provides free information about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs to the community. The Center includes a video lending library of over 900 titles and functions as a statewide information clearinghouse and resource referral center. Materials are provided free of charge to all Idaho residents and are well used for drug use prevention and education programs and agencies, including schools, law enforcement, treatment programs, etc.. “This is an area for someone to come and gather information, and it’s all free,” said Dan Arnold, director for the RADAR Center. “Everything in this building is free including the smiles on our faces.”
The RADAR Center’s two employees also offer online trainings, provides insight on evidence-based programs, and attends events statewide. These resources are very pertinent for students on campus, as many students are exposed to drugs and alcohol for the first time in their lives. “If experimentation is something you’re interested in doing, educate yourself. Look at all the possible ramifications before sticking your toe in the water,” said Arnold.
Budget cuts to the program took place over the academic year 17-18 due to losing the Millennium fund. These reductions to the budget resulted in a cut back of the center’s hours to three days a week (Monday-Wednesday) from 9am to 5pm. Due to these changes, Arnold and his staff found it necessary to make more of their information available online through their website and social media, ensuring the community that a budget decrease will not impact the Center’s ability to deliver information and services. The center continues to run effectively thanks to the staff who work diligently to advance the delivery of their content.
Read more about the RADAR Center in the Arbiter.