Ceist:
260 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the assessments that are being made as to the effectiveness of the drugs task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17355/00]
Written Answers. - Drugs Task Forces.
As the Deputy is aware, local drugs task forces were set up in 1996 in disadvantaged areas experiencing the highest levels of illicit drug use, particularly heroin abuse.
An independent evaluation, undertaken in 1998, confirmed that the task forces had achieved a number of notable successes over a very short period of time, not least in the manner in which they have reduced the feelings of isolation and frustration previously felt by many in the communities where the drug problem is at its worst.
Evaluation work is currently under way on the 200 individual projects currently being funded by the task forces with a view to deciding on their respective appropriateness for possible mainstreaming from 2001.
In addition, a wider review of the overall national drugs strategy is also under way. This review will take account of the full range of measures currently being undertaken to tackle drug misuse and the adequacy of these responses in the light of emerging trends in drug misuse nationally, with a view to making recommendations to Government on future drugs policy. Existing structures, such as the local drugs task forces, will also be examined as part of this review.