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The event marked the official launch of the “Joining the Loop” Partnership, the UK’s first ever interfaith crisis line run by counsellors trained to cater for the specific needs of both Jewish and Muslim communities. Recent funding from the London Borough of Redbridge will enable Drugsline to provide services, including specialist counselling and a crisis line in Gujarati, Bengali and Urdu.
Speakers included: Rabbi Sufrin, Executive Director of Drugsline; Imam Haroon Rashid Patel; David Burrowes MP (for Enfield and Southgate), Deputy Chair of the Addictions Working Group of the Social Justice Policy Group, and Judge Justin Phillips – the renowned maverick who runs the UK’s first ever dedicated drugs court.
Rabbi Sufrin called for every member of the audience to become an ambassador for Drugsline, by returning to their organisations and communities and ensuring as many people as possible are aware of the unique services available. He commented;
“I was recently visited by a religious Muslim man who was seeking advice about drugs – out of respect I asked him why he didn’t go to his Imam and he said it would cause too much pain and shame to his family – a strikingly similar situation to that which occurs within the Jewish community. As the title of this evening, ‘Addiction knows no boundaries’ suggests – neither culture, nor religion nor class protects individuals from the dangers of drug abuse. This Partnership will give people access to support from trained volunteers who fully understand the sensitivities of their culture.”
Imam Haroon Rashid Patel, one of the co-founders of the ‘Joining the Loop’ Partnership said:
“I am so honoured to be here surrounded by people with a common and united cause – we are trying very, very hard, and we cannot do everything, but at least we are doing something.”
Judge Justin Philips spoke about his experiences, the challenges he has faced in setting up his drugs court and the importance of effective, tailored support programmes.
"The issue of addiction has been on the back burner for far too long. It is our job to prove to addicts that someone truly cares about them and is willing to take the time to support them fully. I try to help people to save themselves, and like Drugsline, compassion is the back bone of my work.”
David Burrowes MP commented:
“Drugsline has recently been brought to national attention as a beacon in the area of drug support, ensuring that the statistics detailed in our report (State of the Nation: Addicted Britain) become individuals in reality. Drugsline specialises in building effective and sustained relationships with those that need help and it is time to provide them with more of a voice and further resources.”
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