North Carolina TASC Network Increases Substance Abuse Assessments by 55%
Newton, MA (PRWEB) November 16, 2006 -- North Carolina can now screen and assess more people who are involved with their justice system than in years past, leading to quicker and more successful referrals. North Carolina Treatment Accountability for Safe Communities (TASC) has adopted the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV®), helping them increase the annual number of assessments from 9,700 before to about 15,000 after ASI-MV® implementation.
"Our clients in Wilmington, NC no longer have to put their names on a waiting list to be assessed; a room with multiple computer stations supports the increased number of incoming clients," reports Wes Stewart, Region 1 TASC Director, Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.
The mission of the North Carolina TASC Network is to provide offender care management services to individuals with behavioral health disorders who are involved in the justice system. TASC combines the influence of legal sanctions with treatment and support services to permanently interrupt the cycle of addiction and crime. TASC works collaboratively with individuals, public systems and community based service providers to promote healthy and safe communities.
The ASI-MV® is a standardized, client self-administered assessment tool that streamlines data gathering and enables staff to focus more efficiently on the offenders' needs, with the time they save. Also, the offenders have been able to use the audio and video program regardless of education level, reading ability, or prior computer experience.
"In Fayetteville, NC, our providers are able to assess four clients at a time in an assessment room. The customizable reports give an accurate picture of psychological risks and the quality of the offenders' recovery environment -- all very important for treatment planning and case management," emphasizes Danny Bland, Region 2 TASC Clinical Coordinator.
"North Carolina TASC is thrilled to be using the ASI-MV®. We've found that we can get a jump start on assessing a greater number of clients. And since the ASI-MV® offers English, Spanish and Criminal Justice versions, we're able to administer it to various client populations," explains Karen Chapple, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice Services, Coastal Horizons Center, Inc., and National TASC President.
The ASI-MV® has been used over the past six years in more than 500 substance abuse treatment settings, prisons, drug courts, probation departments and welfare offices across the country.
About Inflexxion, Inc.
Inflexxion Inc., (www.inflexxion.com), founded in 1989, creates behavioral health solutions for prevention, education and disease management using engaging interactive multimedia and Internet technologies. Inflexxion develops clinically tested programs for substance abuse and addiction, campus health, cancer, HIV, pain management, women's health and other wellness issues. These innovative programs help health professionals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies deliver quality care to diverse populations. Inflexxion is based in Newton, MA.
About North Carolina TASC Network
The North Carolina TASC Network (http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/sas/tasc) serves as a critical link between justice and treatment systems for offenders. By objectively balancing public safety with the need to restore offenders to health and self-sufficiency, and access to a comprehensive array of targeted services, the TASC Network aims to reduce recidivism and the burden on the justice and treatment systems by preparing individuals for a healthy and secure re-entry into their communities.
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