This program is composed of 50 of 57 US Poison Centers. Participating poison centers send the coordinating center cases for the RADARS System drugs of interest on a weekly basis. Each case undergoes a rigorous quality control process. Cases are defined as any intentional exposure managed by participating poison centers for the drugs of interest. Intentional exposures are used as surrogates for misuse and abuse. These intentional exposure reasons include suicide, intentional misuse, abuse, intentional unknown, and withdrawal cases. Cases are assigned to the reported 3-digit ZIP code of the exposed individual’s residence.

This study is conducted by Richard C. Dart, M.D., Ph.D. at the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center (RMPDC), a division of Denver Health and Hospital Authority (DHHA), in Denver CO. Other key study personnel include Ryan Westberry, M.S., M.B.A. (Business Manager – Operations) and Elizabeth Winter, M.A. (Project Coordinator).