Our Task Force
Drug misuse is one of the great social ills of our time. It affects individuals, families and communities. While the numbers of people with serious drug problems may be small, drug misuse affects us all. Providing drug misuse with well-managed, effective treatment is the most successful way of tackling all of these harms.
In 1997, as a Response to the devastating impact the drug culture created, the government established Local Drug Task Forces in the areas experiencing the worst levels of opiate misuse.
The Task Force works to aid the development of community based initiatives and to link in with and add value to the programmes and services already being delivered or planned by statutory agencies.
A National Drugs Strategy 2001 – 2008 was launched with the overall objective being, “To significantly reduce the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on supply reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation and research”. Central to this approach has been the bringing together of key agencies, both statutory and community/voluntary.
The key objectives of the Dublin North East Drugs Task Force are:
- To promote a greater awareness, understanding and clarity of the dangers of drug misuse in the area.
- To enable those with drug problems access to treatment and other supports which will allow the individual re-integrate into society.
- To reduce harm caused by drug misuse to individuals, families and communities.
- To strengthen existing partnerships in and with communities and build new partnerships to tackle drug misuse.
- Have available data to examine the extent of drug misuse in the Dublin North East area.
In order to achieve our goals, the Task Force relies on the work accomplished by agencies and community groups who give of their time and dedication to sitting on committees and sub groups, developing policies and giving valuable input into how resources are allocated. The Dublin North East Drugs Task Force has four sub groups at present assisting with the local implementation of the National Drugs Strategy.
Supply and Control:
The aims of this group are to look at ways to reduce the volume of illicit drugs available in Ireland and to reduce access to all drugs. The group works with the Garda, County Council, project staff and community members to raise local concerns and highlight the needs of a particular neighbourhood.
Education Prevention
The Dublin North East Drugs Task Force funds the employment of an education team. The objectives of the education officer and education worker are to create greater awareness about the dangers and prevalence of drug misuse. Working with a highly motivated committee, the team work to equip young people and other vulnerable groups with skills and supports necessary to make informed choices about their health, personal lives and social development. The sub group is committed to assisting schools develop comprehensive substance misuse programmes in all schools and work to help highlight the ‘Walk Tall’ and ‘On my Own Two Feet’ programmes and assist in the delivery of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE).
Treatment and Rehabilitation
The Treatment and Rehabilitation Sub Group exists to encourage and enable those dependant on drugs to avail of treatment with the aim of reducing dependency and improving overall health and social well being, with the ultimate aim of leading a drug free lifestyle. The goals of the group are;
To provide information and support to those wishing to access professional rehabilitation services. This includes making available a bursary fund for those in financial difficulty wishing to access services.
The group provides stabilised drug misusers with training and employment opportunities as part of the clients rehabilitation. Given the sensitive nature of rehabilitation, this group requires the necessary input of those experienced in the field. We depend on the commitment from HSE professionals, FAS, Northside Partnership and community representatives.
Childcare Sub Group
The Dublin North East Drugs Task Force was aware from an early period that young families are affected by drug misuse and that when a potential parent opts for treatment or support, sometimes childcare may be an issue. The Task Force funds a number of places under the Childcare Bureau. The sub group meets to discuss ways in which other supports can be implemented.
The Task Force provide a mechanism for the coordination of services in Dublin North East, while at the same time allowing local communities and voluntary organisations to participate in the planning, design and delivery of those services.
The types of projects receiving support include local information and support centres for drug users and their families, community drug teams, special projects aimed at children involved in drugs or at risk. We produce Drug awareness training programmes and rehabilitation initiatives which allow communities address the issue in partnership with state agencies. We are in the process of developing a Service Users Forum, Family Support, and programmes geared as addressing the emerging Cocaine problem.
The role of the individual and the environment in which they find themselves are also key influences on drug use.
Poverty, peer pressure, bullying, sexual orientation and ethnic background have all been in some way linked to the continuing rise in drug use in Ireland. Statutory agencies, Voluntary groups and community groups all have a certain knowledge and expertise which is essential in the delivery of any drug programme. The success of this Task Force has been due to the commitment, energy and dedication of those groups whose desire it has been to influence change in the communities in which they work and live. There are many former drug misusers whose lives have been transformed thanks to the work of those in projects and rehabilitation centres. The continuing commitment from the government in relation to funding the community projects and Task Force initiatives is also to be applauded as it goes on to prove the need for all agencies and community groups to continue working together, because working together works!