Introduction To Locality Groups

Drug and Alcohol Reference Groups (DARGs), also known as Locality Groups, bring together representatives from statutory, non-statutory and voluntary agencies  to tackle drug and alcohol problems that touch directly on their localities and communities.

In partnership with the Essex Drug & Alcohol Action Team, the DARGs work within their local Crime and Disorder Partnerships (CDRPs) to provide targeted activity in support of the delivery of effective treatment, prevention, rehabilitation and enforcement services and to reduce alcohol and drug misuse in their localities.

DARG members represent all sectors of the drug and alcohol community including service providers (statutory and voluntary), service users and other relevant organisations (e.g. education, criminal justice). DARGs develop action plans to enable the sharing of information and resources, establish joint initiatives and identify good practice.

DARG Aims

- to prevent harm to children, young people and families affected by drug and alcohol misuse;

- to support more people in seeking help, accessing treatment programmes and re-integrating socially;

- to protect communities through tackling drug supply, drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour;

- to raise public awareness of alcohol and drug issues in general and to publicise services available locally.

DARG Contacts

Currently 9 DARGs represent 12 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in Essex. For more details please see below:

DARG contact details and weblinks.

For future meeting dates please click here