The TASC model was initiated in 1972 in response to recognized links between substance abuse and criminal behavior. TASC programs provide an effective and objective bridge between the justice system and the treatment community. The justice system's legal sanctions reflect community concerns for public safety and punishment, while the treatment community emphasizes therapeutic relationships as a means of changing individual behavior and reducing personal suffering associated with substance abuse and other problems. Under TASC supervision, community-based treatment is made available to drug-dependent individuals who would otherwise burden the justice system. The TASC system has five organizational elements: broad-based support from the justice system; broad-based support from the treatment community; an independent TASC unit with a designated administrator; policies and procedures for regular staff training; and a management information-program evaluation system. TASC programs also have five operational elements: clearly-defined client eligibility criteria; screening procedures for the early identification of TASC candidates within the justice system; documented procedures for assessment and referral; policies, procedures, and technology for monitoring TASC client drug use/abuse status; and monitoring procedures for ascertaining client compliance with established TASC and treatment criteria and regularly reporting their progress to referring justice system components. Appendixes contain further information on the confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records and examples of client release forms. Tables and illustrations.