ASIAN community leaders and parents have joined the fight against drug abuse with the launch of a new awareness campaign in the borough.

The scheme, which will target information and advice at different community groups, started with an open day for Asian families at the Jinnah Day Care Centre in Alfred Street, Bury.

Staff from Bury Drug Action Team helped organise a workshop which attracted more than 100 parents, young people and leaders of mosques and community organisations.

Talks were given by specialist drug workers and action team chairman Councillor Derek Boden, accompanied by an Urdu video. The event was a recognition that drug misuse is a nationwide problem and that no community is immune from its impact. A national strategy aims to cut drug abuse by 50 per cent, with a special focus on hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. All communities are being encouraged to help and ethnic minority groups have been the first to be targeted in Bury.

Leaflets in English and Urdu have been delivered to 2,000 homes across East Bury, offering advice to parents on how to recognise symptoms of drug abuse and where they can get help.

Drug team co-ordinator Mr David Barrie said: "What we are trying to do is ensure that all communities are aware of the issues surrounding drugs and that they have access to information, advice, support and treatment as required.

"People are sometimes reluctant to go looking for help and we've got to try to make sure that we get closer to communities."

On behalf of the Jinnah Centre, Dr Shafique Naqshbandi said: "The event was a great success. As far as we're concerned people got a great deal out of it.

"If somebody goes on television to give people a lecture on drugs it is not as well accepted. This is about bringing the information to people's doorsteps.

"This is not just something that affects the Asian community. We are interested in helping everyone get rid of this problem."