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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

David Stanton

Ceist:

121 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the regional drugs tasks forces; if the moneys allocated in the budget for 2003 will be spent by them in the financial year; if the regional drugs task forces will be fully funded to meet the needs of at risk communities on the same principle as applies to the local drugs task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [217830/03]

Under the National Drugs Strategy 2001 – 2008, regional drugs task forces have been established in each of the ten health board areas throughout the country. The RDTFs, which represent a team-based response to illicit drug use, are made up of nominees from State agencies working in the region, the community and voluntary sector and elected public representatives. It is intended that all of the RDTF members will work in partnership, in a manner similar to the local drugs task forces.

The existing regional drug co-ordinators are acting as interim co-ordinators for the RDTFs. Given their knowledge and experience of the local drug problem and their relationship with local agencies and groups, I believe that they represent a significant resource which will greatly facilitate the on-going development of the task forces.

The initial work of the RDTFs will involve mapping the prevalence of drug misuse in their regions. They will then identify the broad strategies that are necessary to respond to these needs. Following on from this work, they will profile the services and or supports that are already in place or are planned to deliver these strategies. Finally, the RDTFs will identify gaps in the strategies and prioritise the actions that are needed to address them.

The RDTFs have an administrative budget at their disposal during 2003 to carry out their work in identifying needs and I anticipate that these budgets will be fully utilised. The funding of the RDTFs in future years will form part of the annual Estimates process and my Department and I will be treating this issue as a priority.

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