The Midland Regional Drug Task Force is one of ten Regional Drug Task Forces in Ireland that was set up in 2003 on foot of recommendations arising from the then National Drugs Strategy (NDS), to facilitate a more effective response to the drugs problem in areas experiencing the highest levels of substance misuse and involve those directly affected by the problem in the development of an area based drug strategy.  In late 2013 following the recommendations of the Steering Group Report on the National Substance Misuse Strategy, Alcohol was incorporated into the remit of Local and Regional Drug Task Forces. Therefore, the Midland Regional Drugs Task Force became known as the Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (MRDATF).

The MRDATF and its sub-structures bring together members, representing the community, voluntary and statutory sectors, public representatives and key interest groups to develop and co-ordinate a collective and integrated response to drug and alcohol problems in the midland region which covers the catchment area of Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly.

This partnership work is carried out under key themes in line with the goals and actions of the National Drug & Alcohol Strategy Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025.  The MRDATF supports a number of projects and initiatives under these goals.


Terms of Reference of the Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

• 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 Drug & Alcohol 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 them
• 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