Aims

One of the goals of the network has been to identify and explore opportunities for research collaboration across health, law enforcement and social research personnel throughout the Pacific.  PDARN’s Objectives include:

• To create opportunities for inter-disciplinary and multi-method social science research in the Pasifika on licit and illicit drug and alcohol use and broaden the constituency of the PDARN.
• To develop research capacity in the Pasifika and create academic, civil society and professional research collaboration.
• To create sustainable research partnerships between government agencies, community bodies and others interested in topics related to licit and illicit drug and alcohol use issues.
• To develop substantive research proposals and seeking appropriate funding.
• To develop a research evidence base to inform policy and practice in the Pasifika.
• To use a range of web-based and other technologies to expand and explore the potential of PDARN.

PDARN also has a goal to become a network that is able to provide governments and other stakeholders with access to current and accurate information on drug and alcohol use information and trends, as well as identifying potential future risks and harms. This links clearly with the goal of increasing research opportunities in the Region, but also highlights the potential of PDARN to become a network that can be accessed for advice on the gaining of information and key people in the Region.