The Substance Abuse Research Forum has met twice annually since 1988. The half-day meetings are open to the public and consist of presentations by researchers from various government and private agencies, and institutions of higher learning who are involved in the analysis of substance abuse-related research data.

The Substance Abuse Research Forum provides a mechanism for the ongoing surveillance of drug abuse in the state, and for the dissemination of focused research findings related to substance abuse. Participating researchers are afforded a unique opportunity to present and discuss their most recent findings with both practitioners and researchers from the fields of health care, public policy, law enforcement, criminal justice, education, public health, addiction treatment, and prevention.