In addition to specific actions under the strategy, my Department has responsibility for the work of local drugs task forces which were first set up six years ago in areas experiencing the worst levels of drug misuse. They operate in 14 areas – 12 in Dublin, one in Cork and one in Bray, County Wicklow, which was designated a task force area approximately three years ago. They are implementing their second round of action plans in respect of which, to date, over €14.5 million has been allocated. In total, since 1997 the Government has allocated over €51 million to implement the projects contained in the plans of the task forces under which they provide a range of drug programmes and services in the areas of supply reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, awareness, prevention and education. In total, over 450 projects have been implemented through the various task force plans.