SASCA for Drug Treatment

Many inmates in America are incarcerated due to drug crimes. Without using, most of these individuals may have never even thought of breaking the law. Consequently, drug treatment should have a place in jails and prisons.

SASCA

• SASCA stands for Substance Abuse Services Coordinating Agency and is exclusive to California. The organization serves inmates who are six months from being released on parole. According to Mental Health Systems, Inc., "SASCA is a network of community based treatment providers that provides assessment, placement, case management, referral and follow-up to parolees who have a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse and have completed an in-prison Substance Abuse Program (SAP)."

Individualized Therapy

• SASCA counselors visit inmates in jail and offer therapy as well as a number of resources to help ease the transition upon release.

Group Therapy

• Sometimes, more than one inmate is eligible for SASCA's services. Consequently, counselors will conduct group therapy sessions to help prisoners understand they are not alone.

Case Management

• To help inmates make the transition, SASCA offers transportation to continue treatment upon release. They offer job and housing assistance, host local meetings, and a variety of recovery services.

Significance

• SASCA is innovative. Inmates typically receive no rehabilitation while incarcerated. Once released, the stress of going back to their lives may cause them to relapse. SASCA empowers them to lead a sober, better life which works to the advantage of everyone.