Heroin abuse is a growing problem in our community. Asian Image talks to a man who was an addict for 10 years and two people who are tackling the crisis.

The addict

You wouldn't know Sagir (not his real name) has had a heroin abuse problem spanning a decade if you were to meet him for the first time.

A problem that has seen him lose a £20,000 a year job as well all the trust of his friends and family.

Sagir like many users didn't get into the habit because he was forced to. He also didn't get into it overnight and neither did he ever think it would have such dire consequences on his life.

"I started off using cannabis socially with a couple of my friends on a night out. Gradually I began using it when I was alone and found I needed it more and more. But I always craved for more."

"In the late eighties and early nineties I would say heroin wasn't available in the area I lived. You had to go out and get it.

"Problems at home and so forth dragged me into this cesspit and soon enough I became totally addicted to heroin for a five-year period."

Sagir gave up the addiction but says there are other issues a person has to deal with when they weed themselves off heroin.

"Anything can trigger a reaction and within weeks you find yourself back where you were."

"I gave it up but with the lifestyle there is a lot of baggage you can't get rid of. I was always vulnerable even more so when the heroin and crack became widely available in the area in which I lived."

"I had a £20,000 a year job - I lost it. I had friends I could trust - I lost them all. When I got up in the morning all I wanted was a fix. I couldn't function without it. When I ran out of money I ended up borrowing and then thieving. Drugs dominated my life and it got to a stage when I thought, well I don't have any money so I might as well deal so at least then I could feed my habit."

"Heroin is readily available in the predominately Asian area where I live. Some say it has a faster response time than an ambulance. It has become part of the Asian culture as anything else. There are Asian suppliers, Asian contacts who are obviously going to target people they know - other Asians. Dealers make users."

Sagir is thirty-one years old now. He looks much older. He feels the community and the police continue to ignore the problem of drugs. The problem is much worse than people suggest in his opinion.

"More and more of our young are getting sucked into it.

"Building Mosques is OK but what about the rest of our neighbourhoods?. Dealers live within our community and people don't do anything about it and you think the whole problem is being ignored. We need to build a community spirit that says no to drugs. At the moment who is the ideal role model in our community?

"When an outsider comes into our area they may think there's nothing wrong. But that's not the case.

"I feel our parents need to seek help when they find their sons or daughters have a drugs problem. All too often they ignore it or they don't know what to do.

"I also know Asian girls who are hooked on heroin - it's nothing new. Cannabis is a regular thing with them, but that can always lead on to stronger stuff. That's why I say legalising cannabis would be a big mistake."

The community worker

Hanif Ali has been a community worker at a local drugs rehabiltation centre for four months.

Hanif's role for the THOMAS rehabilitation centre includes working with young people with substance misuse problems and helping them re-build their lives.

He has to specifically deal with members of the Asian community.

Born and raised in Blackburn he has seen the problem of drugs escalate amongst the Asian community and also found a lack of information available to the public concerning detox arrangements and rehabilitation programmes.

"At the moment parents don't know where to turn when they find out about their children's habits. Some send them abroad, whilst others ignore it and think it will go away."

"Parents should seek advice straight away. Clients normally know how to get round their parents and abuse their trust. We at THOMAS can give parents the facts."

The charity THOMAS has over eight years of experience of resolving drug addiction and aims to support individuals to maintain a drug free lifestyle through a structured process of resettlement.

"Within the Asian community we need to understand the culture of drugs more. Families and clients always want privacy so all dealings with ourselves are in the strictest confidence. The THOMAS project gives support to both the client and the family."

"Families and friends of clients should not feel it is a problem only they can deal with. Clients also should feel there is ho hope or help available."

"I also feel we don't need the community to be stereotyped as one with a major drug problem."

The mentor

Michael Taylor decided to train as a mentor after learning of the effects of heroin on someone he knew.

"The daughter of a close friend of mine became addicted and I saw the full effects it can have on a person. I got involved in mentoring soon after that."

Michael, 59, a retired businessman of Mellor attends Blackburn's THOMAS project twice a week to assist young heroin addicts and has done for two years. The job of a mentor is one he takes very seriously and one he feels gives him great satisfaction. "The job is very important. It's all about making those who come to the project feel comfortable from day one. They are more likely to stick with the programme if they can relate to a familar face who will listen to their problems."

"People from different backgrounds become mentors. From businessmen to grandfathers, we can all bring something to the program,e."

Mentors like Michael provide a 'listening ear' to clients and aim to build a trust and bond with them.

At the THOMAS project twenty mentors engage with clients from all walks of life, encouraging them and supporting them as they aim to kick the habit. Mentors train for twelve weeks and are asked to commit at least one hour a week of their free time to the centre. Michael feels Michael as heroin does not discriminate between communities.

"The problems are all the same from our end. However, for Asian clients there are cultural differences that you become aware of the more and more you talk to them." he added.