COMPUTER SOFTWARE - BRIDGE TO INFORMATION UTILIZATION (FROM MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN THE DRUG FIELD, 1979, BY GEORGE M BESCHNER ET AL - SEE NCJ-64360)

• NCJ Number: 64365
• Author(s): C B MACCOY; A C MACCOY; J E RIVERS
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 5 H81 DA 01729-03
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS ARE DISCUSSED, REQUIREMENTS FOR AND DISADVANTAGES OF THEIR USE ARE NOTED, AND AN EXAMPLE OF THEIR APPLICATION IS PRESENTED FOR DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM PERSONNEL.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH COMPUTER SYSTEMS CAN GREATLY AID COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN DRUG ABUSE PROGRAMS, STAFF RESISTANCE TO THEM OFTEN PREVENTS THEIR USE. IN ADDITION, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE (THE SYSTEMS PACKAGE) ARE USUALLY TOO COMPLEX AND EXPENSIVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SOCIAL SERVICES. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND ITS USE ARE PRESENTED. EXPENSIVE DATA BASE OR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ARE USUALLY OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO SERVICE MANY DEPARTMENTS OR AGENCIES. HOWEVER, MOST DRUG ABUSE PROGRAMS LACK THE RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL TO DEVISE THEIR OWN SYSTEMS OR USE EXISTING SYSTEMS. ALTHOUGH CERTAIN HARDWARE MAY ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT SOFTWARE SYSTEMS, SOFTWARE-HARDWARE COMPATABILITY HAS SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS. ONCE COMPATABILITY IS DETERMINED, HOWEVER, THE USER MUST ALSO UNDERSTAND THE SOFTWARE'S CHARACTERISTICS FOR IT TO BE OF USE. DISADVANTAGES OF SOFTWARE USE BY DRUG ABUSE PROGRAMS INCLUDE LARGE SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR STORAGE, DIFFICULTIES IN CHANGING THE SOFTWARE AS NEEDS ARISE, AND PURCHASE OR MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS. A SURVEY OF SOFTWARE USE IN DADE COUNTY, FLA., EXEMPLIFIES THE GAP BETWEEN POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL USE OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS, AND DESCRIBES A SOFTWARE PACKAGE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)