TASC (TREATMENT ALTERNATIVE TO STREET CRIMES): THE NEXT 20 YEARS; EXTENDING, REFINING, AND ASSESSING THE MODEL (FROM DRUG TREATMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, P 127-148, 1993, JAMES A INCIARDI, ED. -- SEE NCJ-144097)

• NCJ Number: 144103
• Author(s): J Swartz
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 22 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From Sage Criminal Justice System Annuals, Volume 27

Annotation

This paper discusses the growth and adaptation of the TASC (Treatment Alternative to Street Crimes) model to the changing natures of drug use and crime and to the perceived demands of the future.

Abstract

The basic functions of TASC include but are not limited to identifying and assessing addicted criminal justice offenders, referring them to an appropriate substance abuse treatment program and monitoring and reporting on client progress while they are in treatment. Some TASC programs also directly incorporate substance abuse treatment, although this is not a critical element of the standard TASC model. Three broad areas are discussed in this assessment of the future of TASC. First, the author discusses how the TASC model can be extended beyond that of a "bridge" between the two divergent but complementary systems of criminal justice and substance abuse treatment to that of a "network" that identifies the multiple needs of criminal justice clients and manages the linkage of clients with multiple services that originate from multiple systems. Second, the paper considers how TASC can work at improving what it does. Finally, the author suggests some basic rules of thumb and pragmatic outcome criteria that provide the bases for a fair evaluation of the effectiveness of TASC programs. 4 notes and 30 references