NordAN was established in September 2000 as a network of non governmental, voluntary organizations who all worked to reduce the consumption of alcohol and other drugs and who supported a restrictive alcohol and drug policy and who did not receive contributions from the commercial alcohol industry.

Acting on these principles NordAN today have grown to have 90 non-governmental, voluntary member organisations in all the eight Nordic and Baltic countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden), all active in the alcohol and drug field. 

NordAN member organisations are primarily volunteer organisations, networks and foundations that represent a diversity of views, cultural attitudes, activity and competences within the alcohol and drug field in their home countries. They are involved in research and advocacy, education and training of voluntary and professional community workers, counselling services, residential and treatments services for drinkers, users of drugs and their families, support for children at risk, workplace actions and school based programmes as well as awareness information to the public in general.

As a network NordAN advocates the prevention and reducing of alcohol- and drug related harm through effective evidence based alcohol- and drug policy in the Nordic and Baltic countries and in the entire Northern dimension region of Europe.

NordAN strives to be a facilitator and a resource for its members and affiliates, providing service for members, the inter government organisations and the media concerning Health and Social issues in general and Drug and Alcohol Policy in particular.