Reflecting on 60 Years with Ed Tasch

A note from Former Executive Director, Ed Tasch

Hey folks, it’s me, Ed Tasch. You may remember I was the Executive Director here a few years back. Anyway, as the Agency is celebrating its 60th, Jen Armbruster asked if I would share a few words about the early days. Seriously, a few words? Considering I started here in 1977 and left in 2013, that will be tough, but I’ll try. Let me begin by sharing a few things about our workplace in the 70’s and early 80’s. Although it wasn’t exactly the Dark Ages, it was quite different than today. We had no cell phones or computers, and later when we did, we had no internet. We were lucky to have old electric typewriters. We used a mimeograph machine (look it up) to make copies of printed materials. At some point we did get a computer, cell phone, copier and fax machine, which now are considered antiques. Oh, and my first office was about 6 x 8 feet. Those were the days.

Back in ’77, there also wasn’t much of a field of addictions other than the recovery community and a few state and private treatment programs. The then-struggling Council on Alcoholism, with a staff of four, offered short-term counseling (Sue Lord), information (a small library with books, literature, and some films), and education services provided by yours truly along with a group of incredible volunteers. Our first bit of expansion came with ventures into DWI programming and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Around 1980, we received a federal grant which started what would become the Agency’s largest and longest surviving enterprise, Prevention Services (enter Harriet Kopolow). We were then, and still are, the national leader in this area. For you younger folks, please understand that EAPs and prevention were new concepts at the time, and in fact, kind of started what became a more formal professional side to our field. And when addiction was finally covered by insurance, professional counseling and for-profit treatment exploded, giving us new and better resources to refer people to for help.

We’ve come a long way, with better understanding and treatment for addiction, but unfortunately, stigma still hinders progress. And just as we seem to get a handle on one drug, another worse one comes along—like fentanyl, wreaking havoc on our communities, particularly our kids. The one positive constant is this Agency, which has uniquely and continually offered the finest services and most qualified staff to the St. Louis region for the past 60 years. It was an honor to work here, and I will forever be grateful to everyone I served with: the staff, board, volunteers, funders and the many community professionals. Oh, and by the way, I now live in sunny San Diego where I’m enjoying every minute of retirement. Congratulations and best wishes.