Case studies
Back to previous pageNasha (Drugs) Project, Leeds
DAT(s): Leeds.
Region(s): Yorkshire and Humberside.
Last updated: 18 March 2004
Summary: Drug education project for the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, Leeds.
The need
The misuse of drugs is a growing problem for the South Asian and the wider community.
The Chapeltown, Harehills, Burley and Hyde Park areas of Leeds have large Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. Some of the young members of these communities (often male) have been experimenting with drugs. Intervention work and arrests by the police indicate that class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine are being used.
People affected by drug misuse in these communities may feel isolated and are often reluctant to access mainstream services. The religious, cultural and linguistic reasons why people within these communities do not access services include:
- the taboo nature of drug use;
- the dominance of services by white, middle-class staff;
- language barriers.
The idea
The Nasha (Drugs) Project is part of the Leeds Health Focus (LHF) initiative. LHF aims to raise the profile of ethnic health by investing in people. Whilst remaining inclusive, the project targets the South Asian community in inner city Leeds.
Leeds Health Focus (LHF):
- raises the awareness of health issues;
- improves access for ethnic minority groups citywide.
This is achieved by:
- educating people about the health services available to them;
- providing training for community volunteers.
Nasha provides non-judgemental, confidential support for South Asian drug users and their families. To increase the take-up of services by South Asian clients, Nasha aims to establish a link between the communities and various statutory or community-based drug agencies.
How it works
Nasha is managed by Leeds Health Focus (LHF), which is a charitable organisation. Nasha started in June 2002.
Two Development Workers (one male; one female) provide:
- information and advice;
- drug awareness training;
- counselling;
- one-on-one support for drug users;
- one-on-one support for drug users’ families and carers;
- help accessing services quickly.
They also conduct research to identify gaps in service delivery, and service take-up.
On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Nasha provide an open surgery. The surgeries take place at LHF’s base and a multicultural centre in Leeds.
LHF recruit volunteers from all sections of the community. Volunteers:
- receive a ten-hour induction course;
- accompany and assist Development Workers during their (non case-work) work;
- have the opportunity to take further training courses.
LHF Development Workers speak Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Bengali, Sylheti and English. They can therefore provide information and interpret for service users in a variety of South Asian languages.
As part of LHF, Nasha has strong links with Leeds City Council and local PCTs. An LHF representative attends meetings with these organisations. This allows LHF staff to raise health issues faced by the local BME community.
The DAT part-fund Nasha’s activities from their Pooled Treatment Budget. This funding is isolated for this purpose through the DAT’s treatment plan. The DAT’s contribution represented 13% of LHF’s income for the year ended March 2003.
Key Benefits
The take-up of Nasha’s and other drugs services by members of the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities has increased in Leeds.
By training volunteers, LHF put skills and experience on health issues back into the community. Five former volunteers have gained employment in the LHF organisation itself. Other volunteers have moved on and secured permanent employment in other organisations in drugs-related fields.
The creation of partnerships with statutory bodies allows LHF to raise awareness of the sensitive cultural and religious needs of the community. This has reciprocal benefits for both the South Asian community and statutory bodies.
Comments
Leeds DAT are providing NASHA with £140,000 to fund increased outreach work and work in other areas of Leeds over three years.
The Leeds Health Focus organisation as a whole was awarded an Investor in People UK award.
The Leeds Health Focus organisation acknowledge the ‘continued confidence and trust placed in us by our funders…their financial support for various projects ensures that the community continues to receive vital and quality services.’
‘Since June 2002, good progress has been made and [Development Workers] are helping to make a positive difference to the lives of the South Asian drug users and their families.’
For further information
Leeds DAT
Keith Lawrance
DAT Coordinator
Leeds Community Safety
2nd Floor, Leeming House
Vicar Lane
Leeds LS2 7JF
Tel: 0113 395 0839
NASHA
Azra Ahmed / Raja Karim
Development Workers
Leeds Health Focus (Nasha)
228-230 Roundhay Road
Leeds
LS8 5AA
Tel: 0113 2488866
