Summary: The Drug and Alcohol Services Information System (DASIS) was developed by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to comply with Section 505 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 290aa-4). This act requires that the Secretary of Health and Human Services collect annual data on the number and variety of public substance abuse treatment programs, the number of individuals seeking treatment through such programs and their demographic characteristics. The data is available electronically on the SAMHSA website (samhsa.gov) for Arizona and the nation, and is made available in an annual report to Congress on the status of the national system of substance abuse treatment programs.

Funds provided under this revenue contract with Synectics for Management Decisions, Inc. support administrative needs associated with processing and submitting data to the DASIS system, as well as in developing internal expertise in substance abuse data collection and reporting. Funds are paid on a quarterly basis to support data processing staff, data collection and equipment. There is no match or maintenance of effort requirement associated with DASIS. Requirements of the ADHS under this contract are:

(1) process and submit quarterly treatment episode data (TEDS), including participation in annual technical assistance workshops as scheduled;

(2) assist in the annual facility survey through a letter of endorsement process and updating of facility listing on-line; and

(3) complete an annual questionnaire detailing how facilities are licensed and funded in Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has participated in this national data collection activity since the late 1980s. In particular, the DASIS system supports the role of ADHS as the single state agency recipient of the Substance Abuse Block Grant. Specific measurement of client well-being and outcome are a required component of the Grant beginning FFY 05.

Please direct comments to Heather Mathews via telephone or email at (602) 364-44649 or heather.mathews@azdhs.gov.