What We Do

Today, the Cork Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force funds twenty-one projects across Cork City. The projects we fund have developed over

the years to meet emerging needs and the increasing prevalence of various substances within communities. Services including information and awareness raising, assessment, care planning, case management, brief interventions, holistic therapies, advocacy, onward referral, community-based counselling & pre and post treatment support are available from CLDATF funded projects.

Role of Task Forces

The National Drugs Strategy recognises the key role that Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces continue to play in addressing substance misuse problems. It remains important, therefore, that they operate effectively at community level with clear objectives and in accordance with appropriate guiding principles.

Guiding principles for the operation of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces;

Propriety

  • DATFs will carry out their terms of reference (functions) with integrity and fairness and without self-interest or favouritism.

Responsiveness

  • DATFs will be responsive to stakeholders’ views and will consult with them in carrying out their functions.

Transparency

  • DATFs will keep their stakeholders informed about their policies and actions.

Accountability

  • DATFs will be accountable for the use of public monies provided to them.

Efficiency and effectiveness

  • DATFs will have regard to the need for effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out their terms of reference (functions).

Partnership

  • DATFs work in a spirit of partnership between the statutory, voluntary and community sectors.

Terms of Reference

The original terms of reference of the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces required them to assess the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and to develop and monitor the implementation of action plans to respond to the problem as identified. The Drug and Alcohol Task Forces’ role is, by the use of an innovative and evidence-based approach in accordance with the National Drugs Strategy and in co-operation with the Drugs Advisory Group (DAG) and the Office of the Minister for Drugs (OMD), to focus on the delivery of these objectives within a local/regional context so as to ensure the development of a coordinated and integrated response to substance misuse by:

  • Creating and maintaining an up-to-date overview on the nature and extent of substance use and misuse and the services available in the area/region through the gathering of all relevant information from the organisations and services involved;
  • To strengthen and support a community based focus to drug and alcohol misuse, mobilising an integrated cross-sectoral response at local level;
  • To oversee and monitor the effectiveness of projects approved under action plans and make decisions on continued priorities having regard to current needs and available funding;
  • Providing for the implementation of a local/regional strategy in the context of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 – 2016 through:
  • Identifying emerging strategic issues and developing proposals on policies or actions needed to address them;
  • Preparing updated action plans having regard to evidence available on the extent and specific location of illicit drug use in the area/region;
  • Seeking to influence the work of all relevant Statutory, Community and Voluntary service providers to improve services;
  • Identifying any barriers to the efficient delivery of services to clients in the Drug and Alcohol Task Force area;
  • Developing Cross Task Force initiatives and networking arrangements for the exchange of information and experience with other Drug and Alcohol Task Forces,as well as for the dissemination of best practice; and
  • Co-ordinating their activities with other relevant initiatives/programmes in the region, particularly those involved in responding to social disadvantage.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of projects with a view to their continued funding through State Agencies in accordance with agreed procedures;
  • To ensure appropriate representation by the statutory, voluntary and community sectors on the Task Force & ensuring the appropriate induction and training of Task Force members;
  • Drug and Alcohol Task Forces also have a role in informing national policy formulation;
  • To develop networking arrangements for the exchange of information and experience with other Task Forces, as well as the dissemination of best practice;
  • To take account of and contribute to other initiatives aimed at improving social inclusion and tackling disadvantage: Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, Joint Policing Committees, Local Policing Fora, School Completion Programme, Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development (RAPID),

Accountability arrangements

  • Each DATF will develop a local three year strategy, reflecting local needs and circumstances, to support implementation of the national drugs strategy;
  • Each year a DATF will identify priorities and actions (an operational plan) for the coming year, in line with nationally agreed priorities;
  • Each DATF will report on its activities, and in particular on its effectiveness and efficiency, twice a year to the Office of the Minister for Drugs in accordance with guidelines published by the office;
  • Each DATF will put in place accounting arrangements, based on receipted expenditure, in relation to any public funds disbursed by it and will report annually on its expenditure of public monies. These arrangements to be in accordance with any guidelines issued by the OMD for administration and operational budgets.