About

About Ballyfermot LDATF

Ballyfermot Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force (BLDATF) is one of 12 Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces around Dublin, which were set up in the late 1990s to address the drug crisis of the time.

We are a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary group who support the funding, activities and development of a range of substance misuse and rehabilitation services as well as related community, family and child intervention services across the area.

We recognise that the impact of problematic substance use extends beyond the individual, to the family and wider community. We work closely with other service providers in the community to raise awareness and reduce stigma associated with problematic drug and alcohol use.

We try to keep the voice of service users and the wider community at the centre of what we do. We recognise that the greatest resource to anyone’s recovery is their family, community and themselves. We know we are always learning and do our best to share such learning wherever possible.

Things We Do

  • Community addiction studies
  • Summer programme grants
  • Christmas programme grants
  • Targeted intervention fund
  • Promotions: Recovery Month and International Women’s Day
  • Public information relating to drugs and drug use – leaflets, posters and social media
  • Oversight and support provided for all our funded activities
  • Coordination of the drug and alcohol rehabilitation and support services at a local level
  • Provision of training to funded agencies as well as across all Tier 1 and Tier 2 services in the community
  • Collaboration with other agencies, both statutory and community, to address any emerging or ongoing needs relating to drugs and drug use
  • Acting as a point of contact for the TF funded agencies in the area
  • Coordination of the National Drugs Strategy at a local level
  • Collaboration with other networks at a local and national level to address any emerging or ongoing needs relating to drugs and drug use

National Drug Strategy

Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and coordinating action at local level so that there is a targeted response to the drug problem in local communities.

They implement the National Drugs Strategy in the context of the needs of their region or local area through action plans which have identified existing and emerging gaps. goals of the National Drugs Strategy are as follows:

  • To promote and protect health and well-being.
  • To minimise the harms caused by the use and misuse of substances and promote rehabilitation and recovery.
  • To address the harms of drugs markets and reduce access to drugs for harmful use.
  • To support participation of individuals, families and communities.
  • To develop sound and comprehensive evidence-informed policies and actions.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces comprise representatives from a range of relevant agencies, such as the HSE, the Gardaí, the Probation Service, Education and Training Executives, Local Authorities, Youth Services, as well as elected public representatives and Voluntary and Community sector representatives. There are 14 Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in Ireland, 12 of which are in Dublin and the other two are Bray and Cork.

Our Team

Clara Geaney

BLDATF Coordinator

087 330 9024

Rikke Siersbaek

Project Officer

087 148 6080

Ian Purdy

Finance & Operational Administrator

085 860 0724

Legal Entity

Ballyfermot Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force is funded through core funding from central government, primarily from the HSE. It is a company limited by guarantee formed in March 2017 and registered with the Companies Registration Office, Registration No: 600165. It has two executive members (directors), namely Henry Harding and Vincent Jackson who fill the roles of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Company Secretary. The company has a support structure to help it fulfil its role.

 

Company Structure

The following chart shows the company structure as approved by the BLDATF in 2019. The Advisory Group consists of 13 representatives from the community and voluntary sector, key statutory agencies and the two directors. Its work is governed by Terms of Reference issued by the company, being guided by the National Drugs Strategy. It is supported by two sub-committees (each with their own terms of reference) – Treatment & Rehabilitation and Financial Monitoring & Audit.

Skip to content