THE INCREASE IN NATIONAL ATTENTION, UNIQUENESS OF THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL FIELD, INFLUX OF LARGE SUMS OF MONEY, EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS, SPREAD OF DRUGS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, LICENSING AND CREDENTIALING ISSUES, AND PROFESSIONAL AND PARAPROFESSIONAL CONFLICTS ARE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE NEED FOR MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE. A SELF-ASSESSMENT MATRIX IS SUBMITTED AS AN AID TO IMPROVED ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES THROUGH REGULAR EVALUATION AND INCREASED KNOWLEDGE. USING THE MATRIX DEMONSTRATES GAPS IN MANAGEMENT UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSES PROBABLE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN PURSUING CERTAIN COURSES OF ACTION. THE LEGAL ARENA FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS IS DISCUSSED, AND ADMINISTRATORS ARE URGED TO RETAIN EXPERT LEGAL PERSONNEL, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS INTERLOCK WITH RESPECT TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL. A COHERENT AND COMPREHENSIBLE NATIONAL SOCIAL POLICY ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, WILL NEVER EVOLVE. DESPITE PROGRAM FUNDING FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION, CLIENTS OFTEN ENTER PROGRAMS AS A RESULT OF COURT ACTION. THE ADMINISTRATOR'S DILEMMA IS DETERMINING WHETHER THE PROGRAMS SHOULD BENEFIT THE CLIENTS OR SOCIETY. ADVICE ON PLANNING AND FINANCING COVERS ACCOUNTING, BUDGETING, CONTRACT COST SPECIFICATION, AND MANAGERIAL TECHNIQUES FOR BUDGET ANALYSIS. IN ADDITION, MANAGEMENT IS ADVISED TO MEDIATE DIFFERENCES AMONG THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL AND PARAPROFESSIONAL GROUPS INVOLVED IN THEIR PROGRAMS, SUCH AS COUNSELORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND NURSES. ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD ALSO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH EFFECTIVE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES, MAKING SURE THAT ALL STUDIES UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION CLEARLY DELINEATE PROCEDURES FOR SECURING AND ANALYZING DATA. ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD ACT IN RESPONSE TO KNOWLEDGEABLE, PERCEIVED ADMINISTRATIVE NEED RATHER THAN TO EXTERNAL REGULATORY DEMANDS. A SELF-EVALUATION MATRIX IS PRESENTED FOR IMPROVEMENT OF MANAGERIAL PRACTICES. GRAPHS, CHARTS, FOOTNOTES, AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (MRK)