Overview

What is the Division of Alcohol & Substance Abuse (DASA)?

How do you get help for an alcohol or drug problem?

What is the Division of Alcohol & Substance Abuse (DASA)?

DASA is the state agency that coordinates efforts to help individuals and communities with problems related to the abuse of drugs and alcohol. DASA contracts with organizations in the community to provide prevention, treatment, and other support services for individuals with problems related to alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. For business or policy questions, contact DASA headquarters Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., at (360) 725-3700 or toll free 1-877-301-4557.

What does DASA do?

DASA works with county government, tribes, non-profit organizations, and other state agencies to develop prevention programs, and provide treatment programs. Prevention programs prioritize their focus on:

Young children because they have not yet started using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs;
Youth because they face strong pressure from their friends to use alcohol, tobacco, and drugs;
Parents of very young children and pregnant women because of the influence they have over their children.

DASA treatment services are based on the knowledge that addiction to alcohol and drugs is a progressive disease, and that early intervention and treatment result in long periods of sobriety, abstinence, and/or reduced drug use. For some eligible individuals, DASA provides a variety of support services including housing following in-patient treatment, youth support services, child care when a parent attends an outpatient treatment appointment, and transportation to/from appointments.

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Who qualifies for services?

People eligible for DSHS-funded treatment services include persons who are low income, have few resources, and are abusing alcohol or other drugs. DASA prioritizes intervention and treatment for:

Pregnant women, new mothers, and families with children;
Injection drug users;
People with HIV/AIDS;
Referrals from Child Protective Services; and,
Street youth and youth in conflict with their families.

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How do you get help for an alcohol or drug problem?

DASA contracts with programs in the community to provide these services, such as:

24-Hour Help Line. You can call the Alcohol and Drug 24-Hour Help Line at 1-800-562-1240 (toll-free in Washington) or (206) 722-3700 from Seattle or out of state, for crisis counseling or referral to a program near you that can help. They provide information on a wide variety of issues and services and assist with crisis intervention techniques and referral.

Clearinghouse. If you want information on alcohol and drug abuse, call the Washington State Alcohol/Drug Clearinghouse at 1-800-662-9111 (toll-free in Washington). The Clearinghouse has brochures, posters, videos, and other educational material. They provide a continually updated substance abuse resource room; information on programs, personnel and referral; networking; educational videos; hundreds of complimentary copies of printed materials.

ADATSA funding. Apply for ADATSA assessment and treatment services through your local DSHS Community Services Office (CSO). Find your CSO on-line at: https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/onlinecso/findservice.asp. You can get the application at your local CSO, or call and ask that an application be sent to you. You may also apply on-line at: https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/onlinecso/applying.asp. For a list of ADATSA Assessment Centers, see Appendix G of the "Greenbook."

Greenbook "Directory of Certified Chemical Dependency Services in Washington State." The Greenbook is primarily a listing of chemical dependency service providers certified by DASA. The appendices cover a variety of information, such as Oxford Houses, Transition Houses, Opiate Treatment Programs (Methadone Treatment), Detox facilities, the County Alcohol/Drug Coordinators, County-Designated Chemical Dependency Specialists, Access to Recovery, Drug Courts, Professional Associations, programs for Youth, Women, and much more.

Links to additional resources outside of DASA.

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Who are DASA's partners?

DASA contracts with counties for community-based services, and directly with treatment agencies for statewide residential services. DASA also has government-to-government contracts with 29 tribes for prevention and treatment services for Native Americans. Six DASA Regional Administrators work with county coordinators and County Substance Abuse Administrative Boards to plan services and monitor contracts.

Of DASA’s total 05-07 biennial budget ($329 million), $150 million is contracted to counties for prevention and treatment services and $98 million is contracted with non-profit agencies to provide statewide residential treatment services. Counties usually contract with local non-profit agencies rather than provide direct service.

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Modified: July 20, 2006