Case studies

Background/what the project does
A new initiative that aims to find an informal, word-of-mouth, route to inform parents and carers from ethnic minorities about young people' substance misuse issues. There are a number of Asian communities in the county, where English is not the first language for many parents and carers.

The DAT are seeking ways to break through the language barrier, and also to find culturally sensitive methods of relaying information about drugs to commuities where there can be a stigma attached to drug use within a family. A pilot project to enlist bilingual classroom assistants is in its early stages.

Classroom assistants are in regular contact with parents and carers in areas with large Asian communities. They already have a relationship with parents and are trusted. By recruiting bilingual assistants, through overtime payments, it is hoped that information and advice on drug-related issues can be given in the parents/carers own language and without the need for a formal professional intervention.

This work will be combined with the more traditional approach of linking with respected community leaders and representatives to offer bilingual publications.

What makes it different
A simple, low-cost but effective way of getting information to a -hard to reach- group, where there are cultural sensitivities about drugs. The project taps into existing networks and identifies trusted people from with the Asian communities to help deliver prevention advice, information and support.

Last Updated: 29/07/2003