MANAGERS OF DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS HAVE SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION NEEDS, AS THEY FACE CHRONIC SHORTAGES IN STAFF FACILITIES AND POLITICAL SUPPORT, AND MUST MANAGE THROUGH FLUCTUATIONS IN TREATMENT DEMAND AND OFTEN INTANGIBLE PROGRAM RESULTS. MIS MAY HELP THEM MEASURE RESOURCE INVESTMENT IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. MANAGERS CAN USE STAFF ACTIVITY DATA TO DEVELOP THE BEST WORK SCHEDULES AND TRAINING COURSES, AND ASSESS CARE AND WORKLOADS. CLIENT AND CASELOAD DATA, COVERING ADMISSION RATES FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF CLIENTS, CLIENT HISTORIES, AND A MYRIAD OF OTHER INFORMATION REFLECT NEEDS AND STRONG OR WEAK POINTS IN PROGRAMS. OTHER USEFUL DATA WOULD COVER FUNDING AND BUDGETS, MATERIAL RESOURCES, AND CLIENT PROGRESS. RESOURCES ARE BEST APPLIED BY MANAGERS WHO ATTEND TO EXCEPTIONS OR VARIATIONS FROM ANTICIPATED PROGRAM RESULTS. EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN ON HOW TO COLLECT INFORMATION TO DISCOVER SUCH DEVIATIONS. IN ADDITION, MIS CAN HELP STAFF KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM AND ASSIST MANAGERS IN APPLYING STAFF TALENT. DISCUSSION CONCLUDES WITH COMMON BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING MIS AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM. TABLES ARE INCLUDED; AN APPENDIX GIVES AN EXAMPLE OF A STAFF ACTIVITY LOG USED IN AN MIS. (PAP)