NCJ Number
51615
Date Published
1975
Length
12 pages
Annotation
METHODS OF SLOWING DOWN EVALUATION APPLICATIONS ON BASIC RESOURCE-ALLOCATION POLICIES AND METHODS OF ACCELERATING PROJECTIONS THAT CAN PROVIDE A BASE FOR SPECIFIC DRUG PROJECT METHODS AND PROCESSES ARE NOTED.
Abstract
EVALUATION APPEARS TO BE BUILT INTO OPERATIONS AND BUDGET DECISIONS AT EACH OF MANY ADMINISTRATIVE LEVELS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS ARE INHERENT IN THE PRACTICES OF MILITARY ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES. EVALUATION OUTLAYS ARE RELATIVELY HIGH IN THE MILITARY. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MILITARY AND CIVILIAN EVALUATIONS IS THE RECOGNITION GIVEN BY THE MILITARY TO THE MANY COMPONENTS OF EVALUATION AS SEPARATE PARTS, EACH TO BE ASSESSED AND REVIEWED. IN THE DRUG ABUSE FIELD, EVALUATION IS SOUGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: (1) TO DEFINE THE NEED FOR AND SIZE OF RESOURCE COMMITMENT; (2) TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THE SELECTION OF TREATMENT METHODS; (3) TO FACILITATE CHOICES AMONG PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND CONTROL; AND (4) TO ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM EVALUATION IS DIFFICULT, AND TRAINED STAFF ARE NEEDED TO AID STATES AND LOCALITIES IN DESIGNING AND CARRYING OUT PROGRAMS. THIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS BOTH PROGRAMMATIC AND MANAGERIAL. THREE SOLUTIONS OFFERED AS METHODS OPTIONAL TO PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF ANOTHER AGENCY OR OFFICE ENTITY FOR THE PURPOSE, IN-HOUSE AGENCY TRAINING TO PASS ON INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES TO STATES, AND THE USE OF PRIVATE CONSULTING FIRMS. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY FRAGMENTATION THAT RESULTS IN CERTAIN PROBLEMS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE PRICE INCENTIVES, HIGH INFORMATION COSTS, MULTIPLE GRANT CRITERIA, AND HIGH ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. IN THE CASE OF DRUG ABUSE, EVALUATION MUST CONTEND WITH ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND WITH BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN CARRYING OUT PROGRAMS. NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)