What is TASC?
WHAT WE DO
The Treatment Access Center (TASC) is the primary liaison between the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health and the criminal justice system. We assess, refer to treatment and provide case management services to offenders as they move through both the criminal justice and treatment systems. TASC services are provided statewide to offenders coming through Delaware's Superior Court Drug Courts. Assessments are conducted and treatment recommendations are provided to the Court and other criminal justice officials for use in disposition. Once a case is engaged, TASC ensures that treatment placement occurs in a timely basis.
TASC also administers a statewide voluntary drug diversion program for non-violent offenders coming through both the Superior Court and the Court of Common Pleas. This program includes regular court appearances, counseling services and random drug testing.
In 1993, the Treatment Access Center (TASC) was established by the Treatment Access Committee to coordinate the provision of substance abuse evaluation and treatment by public and private providers to criminal defendants and youths adjudicated delinquent or pending such adjudication. Oversight responsibility for the Treatment Access Center is currently provided by the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
As an operational entity, TASC:
- Assesses, refers to treatment and provides case management services to offenders as they move through both the criminal justice and treatment systems;
- Provides case-based and aggregate information to decision makers;
- Establishes policies and procedures for urine monitoring;
- Provides client advocacy;
- Provides support to supervision and treatment providers to retain offenders in treatment by facilitating communication between the criminal justice and treatment systems and by utilizing the leverage of the criminal justice system to promote offender engagement in treatment.
TASC services are provided to offenders coming through Delaware's Superior Court Drug Courts. TASC performs initial assessments on referrals and provides preliminary treatment recommendations to the Court and attorneys for use in disposition. Once a case is engaged, TASC ensures that treatment placement occurs in a timely fashion. The philosophy of TASC is based on the documented belief that compulsory treatment works. This means the resources of the criminal justice system are used to encourage the offender to participate in and benefit from substance abuse treatment. Numerous studies show that:
- Reducing drug use by addicted offenders reduces criminal activity, short and long term health care costs, and increases productivity;
- Punishment alone is not successful in reducing drug use or criminal activity of addicted offenders;
- A continuum of treatment options must be in place. Initial treatment must be followed by relapse prevention, skills remediation and social support;
- Effective treatment in coordination with sanctions and oversight by the criminal justice system can be more cost effective than a lengthy prison sentence where nothing is done to correct the offender's substance abuse problem.
If you are interested in viewing the mission statement for the Treatment Access Center, please visit our Mission page.
Return to TASC .
