Projects that use indicator reporting at the national level have helped create policy change. Mothers Against Drunk Driving's (MADD) Rating the States survey was designed to report national and state progress on policies that will reduce alcohol-impaired driving. MADD developed and released its first Rating the States Survey Report in 1991, followed by reports in 1993, 1996, 1999, and 2002. These report cards helped raise public awareness of state drunk driving policies and contributed to the adoption of the .08 BAC laws in all 50 states.

Local reporting programs illustrate substance use problems in the community and help create change. Like MADD's Rating the States, local programs are most effective at reducing substance use problems when reporting on a regular basis.

Many communities around the country have successfully implemented and sustained indicator programs. Creating compelling indicator reports to tell the community's story have become an important tool to help promote local action.

Indicator reporting programs have helped them:

• Identify their most important local substance use problems;
• Focus community prevention and treatment strategies; and 
• Measure the impact of new policies and programs.

 Read how communities have creatively used indicator reporting programs.

 Tell us about your community indicator reporting program.