FEAR of shaming families and being stigmatised is stopping Asian drug users from seeking help.

According to a report by Manchester Drugs and Race Unit (MDRU) South Asians in Manchester facing drugs problems fail to be treated due to stigma and a lack of drugs education and awareness.

The findings, which are based on consultations with staff from drug and alcohol services and community organisations points out that while there is a growing number of drug users, the number of South Asian people accessing drug treatment services is low, despite a number of drugs services existing in areas with large Asian communities including Cheetham and Longsight.

Fears of stepping into a drugs service also stem from the lack of understanding and discussion of drugs amongst the South Asian community especially between the younger and older generation, further isolating individuals and families.

The research found there was widespread use of cannabis amongst school age children and young people and involvement with the supply of drugs within this group.

The lack of leisure and similar facilities, together with a lack of employment and educational opportunities were said to be reasons for drug use in both Cheetham Hill and Longsight.

Boredom, peer pressure, family problems, escapism and in some cases cultural identity issues and racism were reasons found across all groups for drug use.

Author of the report Shahid Ramzan, added: "When there is a demand for drugs there is always a supply of drugs and some families are indirectly support this.

"Families are turning a blind eye to what their children get up to, because they see money coming in. Families don't acknowledge or don't know what to do through lack of awareness of the effects of supplying drugs.

"Parents need to be asked 'What if it was your son being supplied to– wouldn’t you acknowledge it then?'"

One of the recommendations made in the report to address the problem was to deliver drugs education and awareness sessions in a culturally sensitive manner by drug treatment services.

The Reaching Out Programme part of the MDRU is working to do exactly that. It has recruited and trained community organisations as part of a publicity campaign to deliver sessions tailored to address older people, younger people, parents, families, women and children.

Sessions help people identify various forms of cannabis and other drugs as well as their effects and encourage the discussion of drugs within the community.

For more information on the South Asian Findings contact Shahid Ramzan 0161 232 5380 or for information on the Reaching Out project contact Jawad Mahboob 0161 232 5384.