A BLACKBURN charity which helps drug addicts rebuild their lives and battle their addiction has appointed a new community worker to deal specifically with the Asian community.

Hanis Ali is charged with dealing with drug problems and disaffection within the community for the charity THOMAS, Those on The Margins of Society

Management of the charity, based in St Anne's House, Blackburn, have been wanting to set up the new post for some time and have been given funding from the Home Office to do it.

Hanis's role will be to build links with community leaders and then look at how to tackle drug addiction with the community. He is also expected to set up a mentoring project within the community.

Director Fr Jim McCartney said: "We do not get very many people from the community coming in to our group with drug problems, but we know that there are people who are suffering with problems of addiction.

"The community is certainly aware that there are problems and are wanting to deal with it, but we believe they find it quite hard to respond."