Community Life

The event celebrates a year for the 'Joining the Loop' partnership, a result of work by Drugsline director, Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin and local Imam, Haroon Patel.

Its purpose is to share experiences and generate greater awareness amongst of the partner members and local Muslim leaders, in order that they are better equipped to assist members of their communities by directing them to Drugsline and the culturally and faith sensitive services they work alongside.

Imams taking part in the conference.

Imam Haoon Patel says:  "It is refreshing to see so many local community members gathering to discuss an issue that is otherwise considered a taboo in the Muslim and Asian Communities."

After receiving a grant by Redbridge council the service offered by Drugsline has implemented training for 35 volunteers, all capable of providing drugs information, crisis support and counseling in Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Hebrew and Yiddish.

The founder and Executive Director of Drugsline, Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin, added, "There are no boundaries to those who can find themselves struggling with addiction. We need everyone to reach out and spread the message in their communities to let them know that these services exist.

Drugsline has over 15 years experience of dealing with drugs and alcohol addiction issues and now our expertise is available to those who otherwise would have little or no appropriate support."

If you'd like more information on Drugsline you can contact them on www.drugsline.org or call 020 8554 3220.

If you would like to comment on this story email: dekan.apajee@bbc.co.uk