The positive and active involvement of local communities has played a significant part in the success of local drugs task forces. The consultation process involved in drawing up local task force plans in each community has been an important factor. The underlying principle of the strategy is the development of an integrated response informed by the active participation of all the stakeholders. Partnership and consultation are the best way forward in dealing not alone with this issue but also the wider problem of social inclusion. It is of vital importance that the communities most affected by the drugs problem are provided with the opportunity to have their voices heard in the development of drugs policies. Everybody involved in the local drugs task forces, particularly in the Dublin area, believes the community has been provided with a good service as a result.