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Drug Misuse Needs Assessment
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In 2001 the YCA in Sandwell received funding from the Department of Health and the University of Central Lancashire Ethnicity and Health Unit to undertake a Drug Misuse Needs Assessment on the Yemeni community. A number of questionnaires were distributed, many being conducted and completed during face to face interviews with the respondents. Where language was a problem, the interviews were conducted using the local Yemeni (Arabic) language and the responses recorded in English.
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Profile of Respondents
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70% of respondents were male - this may be indicative of drug misuse often being perceived as largely a male problem.
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The overall range varied from 16 to over 55 years of age.
78% of respondents were under 35 years of age.
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53% of respondents were single
44% of respondents were married
3% of respondents were divorced or separated.
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62% of respondents were born in the United Kingdom.
All of the remaining 38% were born in Yemen.
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71% of respondents were not in paid employment.
Of these, 40% were in full time education or training, and 31% unemployed.
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Summary of Findings
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Awareness of General Issues:
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The main points raised concerning drug awareness include:
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86% of respondents were unaware of any drug misuse within the Yemeni community.
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54% of respondents felt that drugs were a problem in their area, but only 14% felt that the situation was out of control.
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56% of respondents felt that they had received some kind of drugs related information from various sources, including schools, family, friends and the media.
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Yemeni drug users found the quality of services for them to be of poor quality - less than 25% said that the service was at least "OK".
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Drugs recognised as being commonly used in the community (and the proportion of respondents which recognised them as being used) were:
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Qat (91%)
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Cannabis/Marijuana (70%)
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Alcohol (49%)
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75% of respondents stated that they used Qat regularly:
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Qat users typically spend between £4 - £15 a week, with chewing sessions lasting on average 4-6 hours.
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A number of health related ailments are associated with Qat usage, including sleeplessness, loss of appetite and hallucinations.
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The majority of respondents claimed to have never faced any serious health issues associated with their use of Qat.
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Key Recommendations
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Education, confidential adivice and a wide range of information to be made available in Arabic.
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Youth facilities and activities are required to keep the younger members of the Yemeni Community engaged.
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Improve existing drug services to be more conducive to the needs of Muslims, and train community members to start addressing the problem.
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Community organisations such as the police, local Drug Action Teams, etc. to work together to achieve mutual targets.
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To address the issue of Qat directly, both at a community level and targeted national levels. In particular, to concentrate on risk areas such as Birmingham, Sandwell, Sheffield, Liverpool and London through education, activities and awareness campaigns. |
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