In 1997 the Tallaght Drugs Task Force (TDTF) produced a Service Development. The objectives of this plan were to detail the nature and extent of the drugs problem in Tallaght; to describe the existing level of provision in relation to the drugs issue within Tallaght; and to recommend a series of actions/projects which needed to be funded/supported (around the key themes of treatment and rehabilitation, education and prevention, and reducing the supply of drugs in the Tallaght area). In 1999 it was considered to be both necessary and appropriate to review the progress which had been made in relation to the 1997 Service Development Plan and to draw up a new plan for the 2001-2004 period. In the period from January 2000 to June 2000 the author carried out group discussions and individual interviews with a range of interested parties - the management committee of the TDTF sub-committees of the TDTF, project workers employed by projects funded through the TDTF, individual members of the TDTF and community leaders/workers within the Tallaght area..

The first sections of the report provide a profile of the Tallaght area and detail the nature and extent of drug abuse/misuse within the Tallaght area. Section 4 outlines the responses to the drugs problem/crisis from relevant statutory agencies, voluntary organisations and community groups. Section 5 will consider the work and achievements of the TDTF between 1997 and 2000, with particular reference to the activities of drugs projects in the area. Section 6 outlines the future priorities and the main actions/initiatives which will to be developed in relation to the key themes of treatment, rehabilitation, education, prevention and reducing the supply of drugs. The final section of the report (Section 7) details the finances/resources which will be required to implement an integrated and co-ordinated response to the drugs problem/crisis within the Tallaght area.