Free Substance Use Resources Available Across Idaho

Medical Reviewer

Eric Owens

About the Editor

Idahoans searching for free rehabs or substance use support no longer have to look far. A resource center at Boise State University quietly provides free substance use resources in Idaho, at no cost to those who need them most.

What Is the RADAR Center

The Idaho Regional Alcohol and Drug Awareness Resource Center, known as the RADAR Center, is a Boise State based program with a straightforward mission. They make credible substance use prevention and treatment resources freely available to the people doing this work in Idaho communities.

The center serves anyone on the front lines of addressing substance use disorders statewide, such as law enforcement and counselors.

“We source up-to-date information and make it accessible to people who are doing this work in their communities,” said Leah Kalk, director of the RADAR Center. That might mean prevention curricula for schools, facilitator guides, videos or discussion tools that help communities have informed conversations about substance use.

Free Substsance Use Resources in Idaho

RADAR offers two primary categories of resources. The first is free print materials that can be ordered, kept and distributed.

One notable example comes from an unexpected source. Sesame Street developed a character named Karli whose parent struggles with addiction. RADAR supplies the workbook, “Karli and Me: Activities for Children Coping with Parental Addiction,” in both English and Spanish.

Multiple copies can be requested to share with the community. All print materials can be ordered online and shipped anywhere in Idaho.

A Lending Library for Prevention Professionals

The second category is a lending library of curricula, documentaries and structured programs. One example is “Teen Intervene,” a research-based intervention designed for youth experiencing mild to moderate substance use issues.

These materials are checked out and returned, increasing availability to high-quality tools across the state. Idaho residents age 18 and older can access the library

In-person hours are currently Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Chrisway Annex on the Boise State campus.

Who Qualifies for Free or Low-Cost Treatment

Anyone in Idaho can access RADAR’s free print resources regardless of income, insurance status or profession. The lending library is open to any adult Idaho resident.

For those seeking free rehabs or low-cost treatment options beyond prevention materials, RADAR’s resources can be a starting point, particularly for educators and counselors helping clients navigate available services.

RADAR materials are distributed at statewide events such as Idaho Conference for Alcohol and Drug Dependency and National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

How to Access These Resources

Administered by the Idaho Office of Drug Policy, RADAR receives funding through the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services Block Grant. Despite recent budget reductions, the center continues to operate and expand outreach through partnerships across the state.

Kalk notes that for many people, the most meaningful moment is simply learning these resources are free, given how much some forms of addiction treatment can cost.

“There’s something different about people being able to hold a pamphlet, look through a curriculum or take something home to read at their own pace,” she said.

Finding Affordable Treatment in Idaho

Free and low-cost rehabs in Idaho are available through several pathways beyond the RADAR Center. Rehabs.org provides a list of low-cost treatment options nationwide. Call 800-914-7089 (Sponsored) to find affordable care near you.