Our Role and Structure

The role of the RDTF includes the following:

• To ensure the development of a co-ordinated and integrated response to illicit drug use.
• To create and maintain an up-to-date database on the nature and extent of illicit drug use in the region and provide information on drug-related services and resources in the region.
• To identify and address gaps in service provision, having regard to evidence available on the extent and specific location of illicit drug use in the region.
• To prepare an action plan to respond to regional drug issues, for assessment by the Office for Minister of Drugs (OMD).
• To develop regionally relevant policy proposals, in consultation with the OMD.
• To provide information and regular reports to the OMD, in the format and frequency requested by the team.

The RDTF committee consists of representatives from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors. It is a partnership approach to tacking substance misuse at a regional level. It has four active sub-committees and a working group that meet regularly to ensure that needs of the region in terms of substance misuse are being met and are in line with best practice.

The representatives on the Committee comprise from the following organisations / sectors:

Area Based Partnerships Voluntary Sector Department of Education & Science HSE Probation Services VEC

Community Sector FÁS An Garda Síochána Local Authority Public Representatives Customs and Excise

This diagram illustrates the operational structure of the RDTF. The staff includes a Co-ordinator and a Development Worker who both feed into the RDTF Committee. There are also four active sub-committees and a working group that report back to the main RDTF Committee.

Sub-Committees
Some of the proposals and responsibilities of the various sub-committees include the following:

Administrative Sub-Committee

• Oversee operational budget
• Sanction expenditure
• Ensure project monitoring and evaluation
• Ensure effective communications strategy
• Awareness of RDTF

Supply Reduction Sub-Committee

• Community Policing Fora – Swords/Balbriggan
• Counselling Support Pool for JLO’s
• Support Customs Coastal DrugWatch Scheme
• Dial to Stop Drug Dealing Initiative

Prevention and Education Sub-Commitee

• Parent Support Manual
• Traveller Programme
• Education and Development Workers
• Information and Awareness Campaigns
• Education Bursary
• Citizens Information Training
• Family Support Group
• Regional Drug Education Network

Treatment & Rehabilitation Sub-Commitee

• Detox Beds for RDTF Area
• Support an increase in Community Methadone Programme among GP/Pharmacists
• Harm Reduction Initiatives
• Community Drug Team
• Web-based Directory of Services

Research Working Group

• A Profile of Drug Prevalence in North County Dublin
• Evaluations of Information / Awareness Campaigns
• Traveller Needs Analysis
• Research to identify ‘hidden’ drug use in North County Dublin