About

In 1997, the government established Local Drug Task Forces (LDTF’s) which were later renamed Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (DATF) as an area-based policy response to the dual concentration of problem drug use (at that time mainly injecting heroin use) and poverty and social exclusion.

The Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol Task Force (CDATF) was one of fourteen task forces set up at that time, replicating the model of community-led interagency partnerships that had developed in many areas of the city overwhelmed by epidemic levels of heroin use among its young people.

Since then the Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol Task Force (CDATF) has worked to reduce drug-related harms to individuals, families and communities by working in partnership with key stakeholders in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors on the coordination and delivery of services.

In order to achieve its goals, the Task Force relies on the work of community, voluntary and statutory agencies who give of their time and commitment to participating in the CDATF board and sub-groups, representing and highlighting the needs of those impacted by drug and alcohol misuse, identifying appropriate responses, influencing decision making at local and national level and making recommendations regarding the allocation of resources.

Currently, eight organisations are funded through the CDATF to deliver ongoing activities and interventions along the continuum of care of targeted prevention, family support, treatment, rehabilitation, supply reduction and coordination.