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Although a completely non–denominational charity, Drugsline is headed an Orthodox Rabbi, Aryeh Sufrin, and is well known within the Jewish community. The most prominent Jewish newspaper – the Jewish Chronicle (JC) – recently launched a Charity Appeal to coincide with Jewish New Year on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th September. The JC’s aim is to give attention to exceptional charities that would not normally be considered over the Jewish New Year, where it is customary for Jewish people to donate to charity.
Drugsline was chosen from more than three dozen other charities by a judging panel including Esther Rantzen and Baroness Neuberger. It was selected for its effective work within the local and wider areas, particularly its innovative ‘Joining the Loop’ Partnership, which aims to tackle the stigmas of drug addiction within the Jewish and Muslim communities in Redbridge.
Drugsline’s Executive Director Rabbi Sufrin, commented:
“This is absolutely the right decision and will mean a tremendous amount to our organisation. It is a big deal that we have been chosen – for 16 years we have been battling the taboos within the Jewish community – this shows we have made headway in changing people’s perceptions of drugs and addiction. The community will directly reap the benefits in the future.”
Darren Gold, recovering addict and Drugsline’s Outreach Team Leader, commented:
“I understand just how important it is to talk to kids in school because that’s where it started to go wrong for me. Drugsline offers full support to addicts of course – but our schools work is trying to ensure kids don’t become addicts in the first place. Jewish kids particularly really benefit from our sessions – there is still a big stigma within the community about drugs – and we make them realise there is support and advice available.”
For more information about the JC Charity Appeal, please visit www.thejc.com.
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