- Email: [email protected]
The Race and Drugs Project
International Journal of Drug Policy 10 (1999) 71 – 74
Update
The Race and Drugs Project Kazim Khan * Race and Drugs Project, Department of Sociology, City Uni6ersity, Northampton Square, London ECIV OHB, UK
1. Introduction The Race and Drugs Project exists to provide research, consultancy, development, evaluation, training and general technical support for public and private sector agencies, community based organisations and individuals on issues of drug use and abuse affecting black and other visible non-European minority populations. The Race and Drugs Project offers a distinctive approach on issues of race and culture in comparison/contrast with most approaches on offer in the UK or elsewhere. This approach is based upon the rigorous and pioneering theoretical work carried out by what was the City University’s ‘‘Race and Culture Policy Research Unit’’ (RCPRU) during the 1980s, culminating with the publication of two key texts: ‘‘Anti-Racist Strategies’’ (1990), and ‘‘Where You Belong’’ As from 1 March, 1999, the Race and Drugs Project expects to move to the University of Middlesex, Queensway, Enfield, Middlesex, EN3 4SF. New telephone, fax and e-mail co-ordinates will be made available in due course. * Tel: + 44-171-477-8537/8539; fax: + 44-171-477-8536; email: [email protected].
PII: S 0 9 5 5 - 3 9 5 9 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 0 7 0 - X
(1992). The thinking of the Race and Drugs Project has developed since to carry theory and practice further, especially on the research and policy front. To put it succinctly, the view of the Project is that for race equality in policy and practice to be effective, the issues it seeks to raise need to become an integral part of the work of researchers, policy makers and government. Race equality has been perceived and presented for far too long as a militancy, forever standing outside mainstream discussion. For the Race and Drugs Project, race equality is simply good organisational management and practice reflecting the ongoing demographic changes due to the migration and settlement of populations into Europe. These shifts designate a necessary and commensurate modification in the focus of research, planning, funding and management of ‘traditional approaches’, in order for the latter to come into alignment with a changed and changing reality. The Project was established in 1995 in response to the fact that the provision of prevention, care and treatment services for black and other non-European visible minorities had been a very under-investigated area, a
72
Update / The Race and Drugs Project
fact confirmed by a thorough literature survey and by previous research and development work in the field Therefore, it originates from a number of concerns and considerations the considerable in-house experience and expertise in the area of drug abuse, public sector services and race equality issues, based upon previous in-depth knowledge of the field of drugs misuse through research and work experience combined with a distinctive approach to issues of ‘race’ and culture; the realisation, based also on previous work and experience that specialist drug services in Europe had a long way to go in effectively and adequately meeting the needs of black and other visible minority drug users, the majority of whom continue to remain either a part of the hidden population of drug users, who are not in touch with services, or who are misdiagnosed and directed disproportionately towards the criminal justice system, or towards psychiatric care; the needs of the communities such drug users and their families belong to were not being appropriately and adequately met with regard to drug use awareness. education and prevention; the growing awareness, facilitated through the work of the RCPRU, of which the Race and Drugs Project is a part, that initiatives on race and public services have to, from the outset, be an integral part of a comprehensive and integrated approach, rather than the bolted on adjuncts they, for the most part, at present would appear to be; the expectation that whilst the primary focus of the Project is on specialist drug services there will also be general race equality spin-offs for public and independent sector agencies, purchasers, policy makers and other decision making fora;
the desire to contribute to the construction of a socially cohesive and pluralist Europe, within and across EU member states through alliances, networks and partnerships. The Race and Drugs Project has developed as a pan-European resource, information and consultancy centre in the specialist area of race, drugs and black and other visible minorities. It receives researchers, practitioners, students and other visitors from the UK and abroad. It is frequently approached to provide consultancy (offered free to those just starting up in this area of work), evaluation and training, as well as trainers, speakers and workshop facilitators. In response to increasing demands on limited resources the Race and Drugs Project has now a developing network of Associates with relevant expertise and skills.
2. Project structure The Project is presently based within the Department of Sociology, City University. It is managed overall by Kazim Kban, Research Fellow. He is assisted by an administrator. There is an advisory group consisting of academics, professionals and international correspondents who can be called upon for advice and support The Project can also call upon a number of Associates to act as consultants, researchers and trainers. The Race and Drugs Project is linked into a number of pan-European networks in the field of drug abuse, notably Toxicomanie: Europe-Echanges-Etudes (T3E), a network for peer training and exchange placements, for which the Project acts as the UK co-ordinator—it has also actively collaborated with ERIT, European Foundation of Drug Telephone Helplines (FESAT) and HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Gypsies Network (GITANO).
Update / The Race and Drugs Project
The Project has also identified and co-ordinates a network of agencies and individuals across the European Union (including the UK) with an interest in working on issues of race and drugs. This now forms a T3E specialist network of exchange of information and of placements. Within the UK the Project co-ordinates both general and specialist T3E network activities. It has established links with the Merseyside Black Drug Workers Forum (BDWF); has submitted evidence on request to the Council for Race Relations; and generally keeps an open door policy of co-operation with the relevant bodies both in the field of race equality and of drug abuse through the exchange of information, alliances and partnerships on common goals and objectives.
3. Work and activities of the Project 1995 – 1996
A qualitative and quantitative research audit was undertaken of specialist drug services in France, the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK and their ability to meet the needs of visible minority communities. This work was financed and supported by the European Commission. A report, ¬Race – Drugs –Europe’ Vol. 1, was published in August 1997. It is available on request from the Project. (Price ST£6.90, including postage and packing). A 3-day workshop on drugs and minority ethnic communities was organised at the ERIT Conference, Paris, February 1996. An evaluation of ‘Dare to Care’, a black managed prevention and treatment service for drug users in Liverpool was done on behalf of Task Force Granby 1996 – 1997
73
Another qualitative research audit and evaluation was done of specialist drug services this time in Belgium, Germany and Italy on their ability to meet the needs of black and other visible minority drug users. This was carried out on behalf of T3E and supported by the European Commission. (Report in preparation). Consultancy, technical and training support was provided for the FESAT Project on working with minority ethnic communities; for the PHARE Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Global Drugs Phenomenon with reference to the gypsy population in Bulgaria. The Race and Drugs project planned and organised the T3E Summer University in Bristol on the theme Responding to Drug Use Amongst Black and other Visible Minority Communities. (Report to be published during 1999). 1997–1999 Provided consultancy, evaluation and technical support for a T3E Pilot Programme (September 1997–February 1999) working with different specialist drug prevention and treatment institutions in the EU which have volunteered to pilot race equality based changes, informed by the findings and recommendations of the Project’s previous work. Gave a key-note presentation at the Madrid Conference on HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Gypsies, organised by the GITANO, ‘Race and Addiction’. Conducted a seminar at the ERIT Conference, Bologna, February 1998. Made a presentation, ‘Race, Drugs and Prevalence’ at a meeting with the Government’s National Drugs Strategy Co-Ordinator and his deputy, at Manchester, 20 February, 1998. Gave a 1 day training seminar, ‘Tackling HIV/AIDS and Drugs Issues amongst the
74
Update / The Race and Drugs Project
Visible Minority Populations’ for social workers, nurses, counsellors and other professionals, organised by SeRT (Reggio Emilia). Facilitated a drugs working group for Westminster Race Equality Council (REC), autumn/winter 1998. Provided ‘Drug Demand and Drug Harm Reduction Training for Mediators Working with Visible Minority Populations and with Women’, Lisbon, December 1998 (Paul Desson and Madeleine Hemnegan, Project Associates).
4. Development programme
T3E Pilot Programme (March 1999–August 2000): a continuation of present activities through involvement of and partnerships with more institutions across EU in order to enhance nation-specific models of race-equality based good organisational management and practice. Race, Culture and Drug Dependence: to pilot a research and evaluation programme on issues raised by culture and dependence, focusing on the UK in the first instance. A draft outline is being prepared prior to approaching potential funders. Community Based and Community Participatory Drugs Harm Reduction: a partnership research, evaluation, community development and training programme with governmental and independent partners focusing on Guyana, India and South Africa. The Department for International Development (OID) and the National Lotteries Charities Board have been approached for financial support. (for resubmission 1999). Approaches and Strategies by European .
Trade Unions in the Struggle Against Racism and Discrimination on the Labour Market and at the Workplace: in European partnership with Institut fur Internationale Sozialforschung (INFIS) from Freiburg and in national collaboration with the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Community Sentencing of Drug Related Offenders: jointly with Dr. John Marsden of the National Addiction centre (NAC).
5. Project Associates Gilbert Browne (Thames University), Ricki Cambridge (New Directions), Dr Peter Fraser (Goldsmiths University), Dr John Marsden (National Addiction Centre), Neville Leroy (Social Change Partnership, Liverpool), Kenroy Cole (Simba Project), Paul Desson (Merseyside REC) and Madeleine Hennegan (Liverpool).
6. Advisory group Professor Susanne MacGregor (University of Middlesex), Professor Stephan Feuchtwang, (City University) and Harry Shapiro (Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence).
7. International correspondents Professor Antoine Lazarus (University of Bobigny, Paris), Terry Williams (Associate Professor, New School of Social Research, New York), Jean-Pierre Demange (President T3E), Jose Manuel Fresno (Associacion GITANO, Madrid), Dr Carlos Fugas (CAT Restelo, Lisbon) and Professor Dr Hans Volker Happet (Frankfurt).
Update
The Race and Drugs Project Kazim Khan * Race and Drugs Project, Department of Sociology, City Uni6ersity, Northampton Square, London ECIV OHB, UK
1. Introduction The Race and Drugs Project exists to provide research, consultancy, development, evaluation, training and general technical support for public and private sector agencies, community based organisations and individuals on issues of drug use and abuse affecting black and other visible non-European minority populations. The Race and Drugs Project offers a distinctive approach on issues of race and culture in comparison/contrast with most approaches on offer in the UK or elsewhere. This approach is based upon the rigorous and pioneering theoretical work carried out by what was the City University’s ‘‘Race and Culture Policy Research Unit’’ (RCPRU) during the 1980s, culminating with the publication of two key texts: ‘‘Anti-Racist Strategies’’ (1990), and ‘‘Where You Belong’’ As from 1 March, 1999, the Race and Drugs Project expects to move to the University of Middlesex, Queensway, Enfield, Middlesex, EN3 4SF. New telephone, fax and e-mail co-ordinates will be made available in due course. * Tel: + 44-171-477-8537/8539; fax: + 44-171-477-8536; email: [email protected].
PII: S 0 9 5 5 - 3 9 5 9 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 0 7 0 - X
(1992). The thinking of the Race and Drugs Project has developed since to carry theory and practice further, especially on the research and policy front. To put it succinctly, the view of the Project is that for race equality in policy and practice to be effective, the issues it seeks to raise need to become an integral part of the work of researchers, policy makers and government. Race equality has been perceived and presented for far too long as a militancy, forever standing outside mainstream discussion. For the Race and Drugs Project, race equality is simply good organisational management and practice reflecting the ongoing demographic changes due to the migration and settlement of populations into Europe. These shifts designate a necessary and commensurate modification in the focus of research, planning, funding and management of ‘traditional approaches’, in order for the latter to come into alignment with a changed and changing reality. The Project was established in 1995 in response to the fact that the provision of prevention, care and treatment services for black and other non-European visible minorities had been a very under-investigated area, a
72
Update / The Race and Drugs Project
fact confirmed by a thorough literature survey and by previous research and development work in the field Therefore, it originates from a number of concerns and considerations the considerable in-house experience and expertise in the area of drug abuse, public sector services and race equality issues, based upon previous in-depth knowledge of the field of drugs misuse through research and work experience combined with a distinctive approach to issues of ‘race’ and culture; the realisation, based also on previous work and experience that specialist drug services in Europe had a long way to go in effectively and adequately meeting the needs of black and other visible minority drug users, the majority of whom continue to remain either a part of the hidden population of drug users, who are not in touch with services, or who are misdiagnosed and directed disproportionately towards the criminal justice system, or towards psychiatric care; the needs of the communities such drug users and their families belong to were not being appropriately and adequately met with regard to drug use awareness. education and prevention; the growing awareness, facilitated through the work of the RCPRU, of which the Race and Drugs Project is a part, that initiatives on race and public services have to, from the outset, be an integral part of a comprehensive and integrated approach, rather than the bolted on adjuncts they, for the most part, at present would appear to be; the expectation that whilst the primary focus of the Project is on specialist drug services there will also be general race equality spin-offs for public and independent sector agencies, purchasers, policy makers and other decision making fora;
the desire to contribute to the construction of a socially cohesive and pluralist Europe, within and across EU member states through alliances, networks and partnerships. The Race and Drugs Project has developed as a pan-European resource, information and consultancy centre in the specialist area of race, drugs and black and other visible minorities. It receives researchers, practitioners, students and other visitors from the UK and abroad. It is frequently approached to provide consultancy (offered free to those just starting up in this area of work), evaluation and training, as well as trainers, speakers and workshop facilitators. In response to increasing demands on limited resources the Race and Drugs Project has now a developing network of Associates with relevant expertise and skills.
2. Project structure The Project is presently based within the Department of Sociology, City University. It is managed overall by Kazim Kban, Research Fellow. He is assisted by an administrator. There is an advisory group consisting of academics, professionals and international correspondents who can be called upon for advice and support The Project can also call upon a number of Associates to act as consultants, researchers and trainers. The Race and Drugs Project is linked into a number of pan-European networks in the field of drug abuse, notably Toxicomanie: Europe-Echanges-Etudes (T3E), a network for peer training and exchange placements, for which the Project acts as the UK co-ordinator—it has also actively collaborated with ERIT, European Foundation of Drug Telephone Helplines (FESAT) and HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Gypsies Network (GITANO).
Update / The Race and Drugs Project
The Project has also identified and co-ordinates a network of agencies and individuals across the European Union (including the UK) with an interest in working on issues of race and drugs. This now forms a T3E specialist network of exchange of information and of placements. Within the UK the Project co-ordinates both general and specialist T3E network activities. It has established links with the Merseyside Black Drug Workers Forum (BDWF); has submitted evidence on request to the Council for Race Relations; and generally keeps an open door policy of co-operation with the relevant bodies both in the field of race equality and of drug abuse through the exchange of information, alliances and partnerships on common goals and objectives.
3. Work and activities of the Project 1995 – 1996
A qualitative and quantitative research audit was undertaken of specialist drug services in France, the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK and their ability to meet the needs of visible minority communities. This work was financed and supported by the European Commission. A report, ¬Race – Drugs –Europe’ Vol. 1, was published in August 1997. It is available on request from the Project. (Price ST£6.90, including postage and packing). A 3-day workshop on drugs and minority ethnic communities was organised at the ERIT Conference, Paris, February 1996. An evaluation of ‘Dare to Care’, a black managed prevention and treatment service for drug users in Liverpool was done on behalf of Task Force Granby 1996 – 1997
73
Another qualitative research audit and evaluation was done of specialist drug services this time in Belgium, Germany and Italy on their ability to meet the needs of black and other visible minority drug users. This was carried out on behalf of T3E and supported by the European Commission. (Report in preparation). Consultancy, technical and training support was provided for the FESAT Project on working with minority ethnic communities; for the PHARE Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Global Drugs Phenomenon with reference to the gypsy population in Bulgaria. The Race and Drugs project planned and organised the T3E Summer University in Bristol on the theme Responding to Drug Use Amongst Black and other Visible Minority Communities. (Report to be published during 1999). 1997–1999 Provided consultancy, evaluation and technical support for a T3E Pilot Programme (September 1997–February 1999) working with different specialist drug prevention and treatment institutions in the EU which have volunteered to pilot race equality based changes, informed by the findings and recommendations of the Project’s previous work. Gave a key-note presentation at the Madrid Conference on HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Gypsies, organised by the GITANO, ‘Race and Addiction’. Conducted a seminar at the ERIT Conference, Bologna, February 1998. Made a presentation, ‘Race, Drugs and Prevalence’ at a meeting with the Government’s National Drugs Strategy Co-Ordinator and his deputy, at Manchester, 20 February, 1998. Gave a 1 day training seminar, ‘Tackling HIV/AIDS and Drugs Issues amongst the
74
Update / The Race and Drugs Project
Visible Minority Populations’ for social workers, nurses, counsellors and other professionals, organised by SeRT (Reggio Emilia). Facilitated a drugs working group for Westminster Race Equality Council (REC), autumn/winter 1998. Provided ‘Drug Demand and Drug Harm Reduction Training for Mediators Working with Visible Minority Populations and with Women’, Lisbon, December 1998 (Paul Desson and Madeleine Hemnegan, Project Associates).
4. Development programme
T3E Pilot Programme (March 1999–August 2000): a continuation of present activities through involvement of and partnerships with more institutions across EU in order to enhance nation-specific models of race-equality based good organisational management and practice. Race, Culture and Drug Dependence: to pilot a research and evaluation programme on issues raised by culture and dependence, focusing on the UK in the first instance. A draft outline is being prepared prior to approaching potential funders. Community Based and Community Participatory Drugs Harm Reduction: a partnership research, evaluation, community development and training programme with governmental and independent partners focusing on Guyana, India and South Africa. The Department for International Development (OID) and the National Lotteries Charities Board have been approached for financial support. (for resubmission 1999). Approaches and Strategies by European .
Trade Unions in the Struggle Against Racism and Discrimination on the Labour Market and at the Workplace: in European partnership with Institut fur Internationale Sozialforschung (INFIS) from Freiburg and in national collaboration with the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Community Sentencing of Drug Related Offenders: jointly with Dr. John Marsden of the National Addiction centre (NAC).
5. Project Associates Gilbert Browne (Thames University), Ricki Cambridge (New Directions), Dr Peter Fraser (Goldsmiths University), Dr John Marsden (National Addiction Centre), Neville Leroy (Social Change Partnership, Liverpool), Kenroy Cole (Simba Project), Paul Desson (Merseyside REC) and Madeleine Hennegan (Liverpool).
6. Advisory group Professor Susanne MacGregor (University of Middlesex), Professor Stephan Feuchtwang, (City University) and Harry Shapiro (Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence).
7. International correspondents Professor Antoine Lazarus (University of Bobigny, Paris), Terry Williams (Associate Professor, New School of Social Research, New York), Jean-Pierre Demange (President T3E), Jose Manuel Fresno (Associacion GITANO, Madrid), Dr Carlos Fugas (CAT Restelo, Lisbon) and Professor Dr Hans Volker Happet (Frankfurt).