Local Drugs Task Forces comprising a partnership between the statutory, voluntary and community sectors, were established in 1997 in the areas experiencing the worst levels of opiate misuse. These are: Ballyfermot, Ballymun, Blanchardstown, the Canal Communities, Clondalkin, Dublin North Inner City; Dublin South Inner City, Dublin 12, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, Finglas-Cabra, Cork City, North East Dublin and Tallaght. Bray was designated as an LDTF area in 2000.
The LDTFs prepared their first action plans in 1998 which included a range of measures in relation to treatment, rehabilitation, education, prevention and curbing local supply. The Government allocated €12.7 million to support the implementation of 234 separate measures contained in the plans.
The focus of these plans is on the development of community-based initiatives to link in with and add value to the programmes and services already being delivered or planned by the statutory agencies in the LDTF areas. In addition, the LDTFs provide a mechanism for the co-ordination of services in these areas, while at the same time allowing local communities and voluntary organisations to participate in the planning, design and delivery of those services.
The type of projects receiving support as part of the plans include local information, advice and support centres for drug users and their families, Community Drug Teams, special projects aimed at children involved in drugs or at risk, the production of drug awareness materials, drugs training programmes for community groups, teachers, youth workers and other professionals, rehabilitation programmes and initiatives to allow local communities to work with the State Agencies in addressing the issues of supply in their areas.
An independent evaluation of the initiative, concluded in June 1998, found that the LDTFs had achieved a considerable degree of success in the short time since they were established, not least in reducing the feelings of frustration and isolation previously felt by many communities in the affected areas. In July 2000, the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion approved further funding for this initiative to enable the LDTFs to update their action plans.
In 2001, over 120 of the original projects were mainstreamed through the relevant State Agencies thereby ensuring their continued funding.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion began approving projects in the new LDTF action plans in January 2001. To date, over €14 million has been allocated, on an annual cost basis, to implement the second round of plans.
Local Drugs Task Forces, Chairs and Co-ordinators (76 kb)
Chairs, Coordinators, Local Drugs Task Force