Sub Structures
Background, Geographic Remit, Terms of Reference/ Role The Mid West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Forum (MWRDAF) is responsible for ensuring the development of a co-ordinated response to tackling drugs problems in counties Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary and Limerick City.
The Forum was established under the National Drugs Strategy 2001 – 2008 to research, develop, implement and monitor a co-ordinated response to illicit drug use at regional level, based on evidence of what is effective.
The Terms of Reference/ Role of the Task Force is:
- 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 for 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 and ultimately funding by the National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST)
- To develop regionally relevant policy proposals in consultation with the NDST
- To provide information and regular reports to the NDST.
Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum Sub Structures
The Education/ Prevention subgroup is formally appointed by and reports to the Mid-West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Forum hereinafter referred to as the MWRDAF.
Remit of Education & Prevention Subgroup
- The mandate of the group comes from the Mid- West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Forum
- The work of the subgroup will be strive for good practice in drug education and prevention while also meeting the objectives of the National Drugs Strategy Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery.
- The subgroup’s work will be focused primarily within the geographical spread of the Mid-West.
- The subgroup will endeavour to ensure effective communication with the Forum and, where relevant and appropriate, with the other subgroups of the Forum.
The role of the subgroup
- Recommend Education & Prevention actions to be prioritised and initiated under the MWRDAF Strategic plans
- Support the implementation of Education & Prevention actions as approved in the Forum Strategy and Action Plan.
- Present for consideration and debate by the Forum appropriate updates and inputs to the Action Plan where these are supported by an emerging evidence base or trends in practice.
Objectives
- To make recommendations/proposals pertaining to Drug Education and Prevention to the MWRDAF
- Recommend the development and implementation of Education and Prevention actions as defined by the MWRDAF within its action plan.
- Inform local, regional and national strategy in relation to Education and Prevention objectives.
- The subgroup will identify gaps and needs in the current provision of Education and Prevention in the Region and communicate these to the MWRDAF
- To be as inclusive as is practicable in its membership.
- Consult with, and feedback to, relevant target groups across all sectors.
Membership
The Education and Prevention subgroup will comprise of members from the Community, Voluntary and Statutory sectors
The Treatment & Rehabilitation Subgroup is a substructure of the MWRDAF.
Membership of this group is open to organisations who have a role in the treatment & rehabilitation of people with substance misuse issues. This includes statutory membership, membership of voluntary organisations and from the community.
The mandate of the group comes from the MWRDAF and its work will be informed by best practice in treatment and rehabilitation, meeting the objectives of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS) and the National Rehabilitation Strategy.
The role of the Treatment & Rehabilitation Subgroup is to:
- Lead in the development of the MWRDAF Treatment & Rehabilitation Action Plan and oversee its implementation
- Identify gaps and needs in the current provision of treatment and rehabilitation in the region, and work with the MWRDAF towards filling those gaps and addressing issues.
- Inform local, regional and national strategy in relation to treatment and rehabilitation issues and input into policy development
- Engage with other service providers in the field of treatment and rehabilitation.
The Treatment & Rehab Subgroup aims to ensure that each decision considers the best interests of service users. The subgroup promotes a collaborative approach between the community, voluntary and statutory sectors to the Treatment and Rehabilitation agenda and is cognisant of the full region.
The current chairperson of the Mid-West Treatment & Rehabilitation Subgroup is Rory Keane, HSE Regional Drug Co-ordination Unit and administration support is provided by Rionach Power rpower@mwrdtf.ie
Midwest Voluntary Drug & Alcohol Sector Group (MVASG)
The Midwest VDAS Group comprises of representatives from the voluntary sector agencies providing drug &/or alcohol services in the region or to the region. The group is the nominating body for the voluntary sector representatives of the Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Forces.
It operates in support of the NVDAS (voluntary umbrella for agencies in the Voluntary Sector that provide Tier 1 – 4 drug & alcohol addiction services in Ireland www.nvdas.ie)
The Role of the MVDASG
- Assess and represent the prevention & education, treatment & rehab needs of voluntary groups working in the drug & alcohol sector
- Agree proprieties and issues of the group
- Appoint representatives to the MWRDAF and sub-structures
- Make contributions to the MWRDAF which reflect the issues of the MDASG
- Appoint representatives to the National VDASG
- Endorse proposals from the region
- Ensures that the focus is on the voluntary sector and not individuals organisations
MWRDAF staff provide admin support to the MVDASG
North Tipperary Community Cluster
The North Tipperary Community Cluster is made up of a small group of community people from around the county who have an interest in the area substance misuse, and developing community responses to address these issues in conjunction and with the support of the Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum
Community representatives to this Forum are people who are active in their communities, have some experience of local substance misuse issues and have a commitment to addressing these and associated problems which impact on the community.
The North Tipperary Community Cluster plays a role in:
- providing information to the local community around substance misuse issues in a supportive manner
- Organising and facilitating discussion and debate in the local community , and
- Providing feedback to the Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum
The Cluster membership has a special interest in mental health matters, and the effect of alcohol and drugs on mental health.
The Cluster meets in Aras Follain, Nenagh on the 2nd Friday of every month.
The North Tipperary Community Cluster has a seat on the Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum. The current representative to the MWRDAF is Jim Finn. Administration support to this group is provided by Rionach Power rpower@mwrdtf.ie
Clare Community Cluster
The Clare Community Cluster is made up of a small group of community people from around the county who have an interest in the area substance misuse, and developing community responses to address these issues in conjunction and with the support of the Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum
Community representatives to this Forum are people who are active in their communities, have some experience of local substance misuse issues and have a commitment to addressing these and associated problems which impact on the community.
The Clare Community Cluster plays a role in:
- providing information to the local community around substance misuse issues in a supportive manner
- Organising and facilitating discussion and debate in the local community , and
- Providing feedback to the Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum
The Cluster meets in Respond building, Stonecourt Ennis on the 1st Friday of every month. The Clare Community Cluster has a seat on the Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum. The current representative to the MWRDAF is Pat Talty. Administration support to this group is provided by Rionach Power rpower@mwrdtf.ie
Traveller Regional Drug & Alcohol Network
The Traveller Network is a substructure of the MWRDAF.
Membership of this group is made up of Travellers & Co-ordinators on the Primary Health Care Programme in the Midwest, and statutory and voluntary organisations. The Network meets four times per year and develop an annual workplan.
The aim of the group (and reflected in the work programme) is to recognise Travellers as being a distinct group with issues around substance use and misuse and to work together to create a mutual awareness between the Traveller community and service providers.
This group is the nominating body for Traveller representation on the MWRDAF. The current representative to the MWRDAF is Hannah Hehir. Administration support to this group is provided by Rionach Power rpower@mwrdtf.ie