Because task forces operate in selected urban areas of high drug misuse, the national drugs strategy recommended the setting up of regional drugs task forces in order to address the issue of drug misuse outside the main urban areas in Dublin and Cork. These task forces will operate in each of the current regional health board areas, including each of the three which comprise the Eastern Regional Health Authority. They will ensure an integrated and co-ordinated response to the problem of drug misuse in the regions and represent a team based response to illicit drug use. Each will be chaired by an independent chairperson and made up of nominees from State agencies working in the region, the community and voluntary sectors, and elected public representatives. It is my intention that all of the regional task force members will work in partnership in a manner similar to the local drugs task forces in Dublin and Cork.