Background

As of the 1 October 2006, the new structures under the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs are as follows.

There will be a New Strategic Direction (for Alcohol and Drugs) Steering Group (NSDSG) whose primary role will be to maintain an overview of the NSD, in particular progress on work to achieve its outcomes.

NSDSG will in turn report to the current Ministerial Group on Public Health (MGPH). MGPH consists of senior civil servants from a wide range of Government Departments together with NIO whose business areas impact on public health and the determinants of health.

There will be four new Advisory Groups:

• Children, Young People and Families
• Treatment and Support
• Law and Criminal Justice
• Binge Drinking

Their role will be to advise the NSDSG in respect of the particular issue(s), to comment on current work towards the outcomes in the NSD and to make recommendations as to future work and direction.

The current local Drugs and Alcohol Co-ordination Teams will continue. They will produce local action plans, identifying and prioritising need, and funding substance misuse projects and services in their respective localities in support of the NSDAD.

The Drug and Alcohol Strategy Team (DAST) within the DHSPSS will become the Alcohol and Drugs Policy Branch (ADPB). The ADPB wil report on the overall progress in respect of the NSD and its associated outcomes. The ADPB will also work closely with the Drugs and Alcohol Information and Research Unit (DAIRU) in respect of monitoring, evaluating and research. DAIRU will also be taking forward the development of an Early Warning System.

There will also be a Liaison Group consisting of Chairs and Senior Co-ordinators of the local DACTs, ADPB, DAIRU and Chairs of the four Advisory Groups. They will meet regularly to monitor overall progress of the NSD.

The Team »