Drug Evaluation Network System (DENS™)
The DENS™ Software Suite is an electronic ASI data collection system created with substance abuse treatment providers in mind. It automates administration of the ASI through an intuitive, time-saving interface used mainly by counselors at treatment facilities. The software takes very little time to learn and has a host of benefits unavailable to states and/or programs currently using paper and pencil instruments.
To schedule a DENS training or for more information on the DENS Software System, contact Meghan Love, Senior Program Manager, at mlove@tresearch.org.
Comprehensive Intake Assessment
The DENS Suite is a vehicle for the collection of the ASI, the most widely used substance abuse assessment instrument in the world. Mandated by numerous state and county governments, it is a standardized, semi-structured, multi-focused screening and assessment tool identifying problems in many different areas of the client's life: General Information, Medical, Employment, Alcohol/Drug, Legal, Family/Social, & Psychiatric issues. The software uses the same semi-structured format as the original ASI instrument to ensure questions are posed in the order intended. With the click of a button, interviewers can administer either the complete ASI interview or a shortened interview called the ASI-Lite. Less personally sensitive questions are asked toward the beginning, with more personal items and sections such as Family/Social and Psychiatric appearing toward the end. This allows a counselor to build rapport before posing intimate questions.
Advanced Functionality with Little or No Learning Curve
The software was designed to be as easy to use as possible, especially for those with little or no previous experience with computers. All major functions are accessed through a point-and-click strategy, and all frequently used buttons are visually identified through a corresponding graphic. There are no menus, or "options" screens to configure. After a brief initial sign-in and registration process (completed with TRI staff via phone or e-mail), every aspect of the DENS Suite is configured and available for immediate use by counselors, who can perform all software functions without memorizing commands or mastering complex procedures. Onscreen help is present at all times (for both software functions and the ASI interview), and there is room within the title bar of the program to enter a telephone number users may call should they have a question or require further assistance within their program.
DENS software training is normally included in the TRI ASI training protocol. We have found consistently that even those with the most elementary level of computer literacy feel more comfortable using the DENS Suite once they are properly trained and have spent some time practicing using the software.
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