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Drink and drugs help targeted at Asian community
CAMPAIGNERS claim problems with drugs and alcohol among young Asian people in Calderdale are being "swept under the carpet".
The Ar-Rahman project has been set up to combat the issue in the Asian community in what is thought to be one of the first of its kind in the district.
The name means "giving" and those involved in setting up the project say they want to give something back, having been helped themselves.
Volunteers will be on hand to give advice and support to anyone who comes along – including the families and partners of those who are using drugs or alcohol.
Saeed Raja, volunteer co-ordinator, said: "We are giving back to the community.
"There are a lot of issues out there in the Asian community that are being swept under the carpet.
"They keep it too much in their circles, but there is help and culturally sensitive advice out there for them."
Support worker Nadeem Mizra said: "We want to make people as welcome as possible, even from outside Calderdale.
"Drug use is a stigma and they might not want to go within their own community.
"But we can help here or put them in touch with other agencies.
"Everything is very discreet."
He said some people did not want their families to know they had been using drugs, but the private and confidential service can offer health information and check-ups, advice on a range of topics including substance and alcohol abuse, housing, employment and debt.
Project manager Michelle Foster said: "The project is reaching out to the community and trying to engage with people that are hard to reach.
"The project is led by people who have experienced some sort of issues around substance and alcohol misuse.
"We are all here to give something back because we have all found our own recovery."
Michelle added that culturally-sensitive mentoring can help with retention rates for treatment.
The project will run drop-in sessions at the YMCA, Crossley Street, Halifax, every Wednesday from 4-6pm.
On hand will be teams of volunteers who have been trained in giving advice and guidance.
For more information contact Saeed on 01422 383063 or 07799 518845.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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