The Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers (LASACT) was incorporated in 1975 with two main objectives:
The objective of promoting treatment of addictive disorders was met by establishment of a Certification Examining Board (CEB), which was responsible for developing and implementing criteria for certification of professional counselors in the field. For many years LASACT offered the Certified Substance Counselor (CSAC) certificate to qualified persons who met the stringent requirements of the CEB. In the mid-1990's certificates for Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) and Certified Prevention Manager (CPM) were added to recognize the importance of preventing substance abuse among all age groups. The Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor (CCGC) certificate was added at the same time. The addition of this certificate coincided with the mushrooming of gaming facilities in the State and the subsequent increase in the number of persons with gambling addictions.
In 1999 -- thanks in part to LASACT's advocacy efforts -- the certification function was changed from LASACT to the Louisiana State Board for Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors (LSBCSAC). In July, 2004 Governor Kathleen Blanco signed Senate Bill 875 -- now Act 803 -- which replaced the State Board with the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA) of the Office for Addictive Disorders of the Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals. LASACT then contracted with the Regulatory Authority to provide both oral and written testing for certification applicants. Oral testing was later eliminated, and sections were added to the written tests to incorporate competency assessment. Computer based testing will be added in the near future.
In 2000 LASACT began offering the voluntary Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) credential to recognize and standardize the qualifications of counselors with advanced knowledge and experience in the field of alcohol and drug abuse counseling. This credential does not give authorization to practice in the State of Louisiana. Only the Regulatory Authority can give this authority through its various certifications, i.e. LAC, CAC, RAC.
In October, 2002 LASACT was approved by IC&RC to offer the Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) credential. The Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP) credential was approved in April, 2004.
In April, 2006 LASACT inaugurated the Louisiana Addiction Counselor Training (LACT) Program as a part of its Educational Institute to provide 180 hours of substance abuse specific training and education to aspiring addiction professionals. These hours are required of persons working towards credentialing as an Addiction Professional. Classes are held one weekend per month in Baton Rouge. Refer to "Educational Opportunities" link for more information about LACT.
In 2008 IC&RC approved LASACT CEB's application to begin issuing the Certified Co-occurring Disorder Professional (CCDP) and Certified Co-occurring Disorder Professional-Diplomate (CCDP-D) certificates. These are add-ons to right to practice credentials. This certificate is now the standard for working on Integrated Treatment Teams to treat persons with both a mental health and an addiction disorder. With the 2010 merger of OAD and the Office of Mental Health into the combined Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), dually diagnosed clients are being treated by these integrated treatment teams.
Interests of the membership have always been promoted through provision of an Annual Conference, various educational offerings throughout the year, and legislative advocacy at all levels of government.
As LASACT has evolved through time, its focus has expanded. No longer in the business of providing certifications to practice, LASACT now concentrates its efforts in other areas, including the following: