A NEW project was launched today to keep young Asians off drugs and get them into work.

The Empower project, which received a £60,000 funding from Pendle Partnership for the scheme, will provide ethnic minority teenagers with the chance to learn about education, employment, training and drug abuse.

The scheme, which is based in Cross Street, Nelson, highlights the barriers to career and education that are caused by drug abuse and helps raise awareness of the signs of abuse -- a problem it says is often a taboo subject within the Asian community.

The scheme will look at work experience, GCSE options, special needs, discussing drug issues with youngsters, and visits to training providers, colleges and local employers.

Nelson community leader Haji Rehmat Khan was delighted with the news that something was being done to improve the prospects of young Asian people who are often spoken badly of.

He said: "I am very happy that this money is being spent on helping young people and it is a good idea to educate parents as well so that they can teach their sons and daughters.

"Young people are our future, so if we can help them out future will be good.

"I don't think the drug problem here is any worse than anywhere else but there is not a lot for the young people to do except hang around on the streets, so then they get bored and turn to bad things like drugs.

"This is a definite step forward for young Asian people and is helpful if it prevents drug abuse and educates them."

An event highlighting the project will take place on Tuesday, July 17, at the Nelson Civic Theatre, between 4pm and 6.30pm. A second event focussing on the parents of young Asian people will follow at 6.30pm and will include guest speakers and a community consultation in which parents will be asked for ideas and suggestions.

Project development worker, Samina Kauser, said: "The event is about real people addressing real issues and is an opportunity for local people to say what they want and how the Empower project can help.

"The office is open throughout the holidays and it is an ideal time for people to pop in and see what we're all about."

Pendle Information Providers (PIPS), which is the multi-agency organisation delivering the service, aims to raise awareness of options and opportunities open to young ethnic people in Pendle, particularly in the Nelson town centre wards.

It will also promote involvement of parents in their children's careers decisions, to raise and promote awareness of PIPS within the Pendle area.

A spokesman for PIPS said: "The theory is that the more knowledgeable parents are the better advice and support they can give to their children.

"Long term this will address low aspirations and low achievement issues in Nelson.

"Indicators show that there is disproportionatetly low numbers of Asian parents participating in the decision making process with their children.

"Similarly schools report low numbers of Asian parents participating in the education process.

"It is also often noted that drug issues within the Asian community are often even more taboo than for white communities to the extent that support agencies are not accessed by Asian drug users in as great numbers as their white counterparts.

"Greater parental knowledge should result in this trend being reversed."