The East Coast Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (ECRDATF) is one of ten Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (RDATFs) in Ireland that were set up in 2003 “to strengthen existing partnerships in and with communities and build new partnerships to tackle the problems of drug misuse” using the co-ordination framework of Regional DATFs (RDATFs) as one of its key elements. It remains important, therefore, that RDATFs operate effectively at regional and community level with clear objectives in accordance with appropriate principles. The RDATFs are guided by the principles of propriety; responsiveness; transparency; accountability; efficiency and effectiveness; and partnership. The ECRDATF and its sub-structures bring together members representing the community, voluntary and statutory sectors, public representatives, and key interest groups to co-ordinate a collective and integrated response to substance misuse across the East Coast Region.

This partnership work is carried out under key goals as identified in the National Drug & Alcohol Strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery: A health-led response to drug & alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. The Terms of Reference of Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces are:

To coordinate the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy in the context of the needs of the region/local area.

To implement the actions of the National Drugs Strategy where Task Forces have been assigned a role.

To promote the implementation of evidence-based local/regional drug and alcohol strategies and to exchange best practice.

To support and strengthen community-based responses to drug and alcohol misuse.

To maintain an up-to-date overview on the nature and extent of drug and alcohol misuse in the area/region.

To identify and report on emerging issues and advocate for the development of policies or actions needed to address the problems.

To monitor, evaluate and assess the impact of the funded projects and their continued relevance to the local/regional drugs task force strategy and to recommend changes in the funding allocations as deemed necessary.

TASK FORCE ENQUIRIES:
If you wish to enquire about the Task Force and its operation, please contact the Coordinator:

Maeve Shanley
HSE Offices,
Block B Civic centre,
Bray, Co. Wicklow

+353 (0)1 2744132
ecrdatf@gmail.com

ECRDATF Committee members

Frank Gallagher	Chairperson
Eileen Brassington	Community Representative, Greystones and surrounds
Shiela Busher	Community Representative, Arklow and surrounds
Ann Marie O'Leary	Community Representative, Avoca and surrounds
Michelle Byrne, Insp	Statutory Representative, An Garda Síochána
John Craven	Statutory Representative, HSE Addiction Services
Fiona Creedon	Youth Officer KWETB
Heather Howell	Voluntary Services Representative, Dublin Simon/Wicklow County Council
Phil Thompson	Voluntary Services Representative, Tiglin
Peir Leonard, Cllr	Elected Representative, Wicklow County Council
Aisling Hubbard	Voluntary Representative, Wicklow Sports Partnership
Deborah Jordan	Development Worker
Maeve Shanley	DATF Coordinator
Kay O'Connor	Social Inclusion Manager (SICAP - Social Inclusion and Community Integration Programme)
Louise Fenlon Gaskin, Cllr	Elected Representative, Wicklow County Council
Shane Langrell, Cllr	Elected Representative, Wicklow County Council

Treatment and Recovery Group Members

Phil Thompson	Chairperson/Tiglin Services Manager
Anne Bolger	HSE YoDA CHE
Lisa Dickinson	Under 18's Project Worker Wicklow Child and Family Project
Deborah Jordan	ECRDATF Development Worker
Rebecca Mullen	Living Life Counselling, Centre Manager
Shane Von Metzradt	MQI CRIS Project
William Peelo	Arklow Family Resource Centre (Springboard)
Tracy Redmond	Under 18's Support Worker, Arklow Family Resource Centre (Springboard)
Maeve Shanley	ECRDATF HSE Coordinator
Jenny Smith	Wicklow Child and Family Project
Angela Tierney	HSE Rehabilitation Manager

Prevention and Education Group Members

Fiona Creedon	Youth Officer KWETB/Chair
Peir Leonard	Elected Representative, Wicklow County Council
Deborah Jordan	Development Worker ECRDATF
Lynn O'Connor	Greystones Family Resource Centre Coordinator
Linda Lambert	Manager Crosscare Wicklow