Questions asked over lead's absence in South East drug taskforce
South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force coordinator has not been in his post for 6 years.
The South East Regional Drug and Task Force (SERDATF) has been without a lead coordinator for the past 6 years.
According to a new report from WLR, over the past number of years the government-funded taskforce has filled the head role on an intermittent basis.
DRIVE is under the remit of SERDATF and works in association with community groups and Gardaí. The project aims to eradicate drug-related intimidation through inter-agency support.
The official and interim coordinators were hired through the HSE.
Local councillor Declan Barry said that the group is not functioning properly, citing a lack of continuity and leadership.
Cllr Barry is the sole Council member of the local DRIVE (Drug Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement) project.
He told Damien Tiernan: "We need urgent clarification on what is happening as this is a very, very important matter.
"Meetings are scheduled and cancelled at short notice for no apparent reason. It’s not functioning as it should be.”
SERDATF and HSE were reached for clarification.
