Mission
The NACD has undertaken to:
- Support the Government in significantly reducing the health, social and economic consequences of drug misuse through the provision of timely data and analysis of research
- Review its knowledge base, identifying gaps which can be addressed through research
- Ensure that evidence from scientific research forms the basis for policy formulation, development of services and continuous improvement in all its approaches to tackling drug misuse in Ireland
- Work closely with the Drug Misuse Research Division of the Health Research Board, providing advice, coordinating research efforts and maximising the use of resources
- Support the establishment of a National Documentation Centre
- Liaise with the relevant agencies nationally in order to co-ordinate research and resources
- Ensure participation nationally of a broad range of parties in fulfilling its research needs and dissemination of findings
- Serve all drug misuse reduction activities in providing for an effective dissemination of research findings, information and other data thus linking research to practice
Values
The NACD agreed that the following values would guide the implementation of its work programme. The NACD will:
- manage the diversity of its membership and commit to a consensus approach in decision-making
- foster a culture of respect, dignity, transparency and fairness in all its operations
- advocate dialogue as a means of balancing the diverse views on and experiences of drug misuse in Ireland
- be objective in the collection and dissemination of information in line with its commitment to the National Drugs Strategy (interim) 2009-2016
- commit to the highest possible standards of excellence and ethical conduct
- seek out collaborations and partnerships where there is greater benefit to achieving its goal and co-operate with everyone who can benefit from its knowledge base.
