FARS Report

FARS Report: A report on evidence of substance misuse amongst Farsi speaking community members in UK

From the period of May 2007 to May 2008, FARS services carried out an anonymous research to show evidence of substance misuse amongst Farsi speaking community members in UK

The report aims to show:

1. Existence of substance misuse amongst Farsi community members in UK.
2. Smoking opium is the main drug and route of choice for this BME community.
3. The borough of Barnet has the largest Farsi speaking problematic drug users.
4. There is lack of information and support for Farsi problematic users to access treatment.
5. The biggest barrier in preventing Farsi problematic users to access treatment is misconceptions about UK's treatment philosophy and system.
6. Substance misuse is part of other problems this group experience. Problems such as lack of legal status, housing and unemployment attribute to their fear of entering into treatment with statutory drug services.
7. In addition, there is lack of information and support for Farsi family and community members affected by a loved one's substance misuse.