The Department has responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001 - 2008. The Strategy, which was launched in May 2001, is based on four pillars - supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research - under which a series of 100 individual actions have been identified. These actions are being carried out by a number of Departments and Agencies. The Department is responsible for preparing six-monthly progress reports on the Strategy for the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, as well as an annual report on the Strategy.

In addition, the Department oversees the work of 14 Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs ). The LDTFs produce action plans which are assessed by the National Drugs Strategy Team and approved by the Inter-departmental Group on Drugs and the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. A variety of projects in the areas of supply reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention and awareness are funded in the LDTF areas through these plans.