Minority Communities Addiction Support Services Community Story
Minority Communities Addiction Support Services
For the past 12 years, Minority Communities Addiction Support Services (MCASS) has been a vital resource for individuals and families affected by substance use within Glasgow’s Pakistani and Indian communities. Through their programs, they have connected with people who feel excluded from mainstream support services. Taking a compassionate and understanding approach, MCASS aims to instill a sense of hope to facilitate recovery and heal fractured family relationships.
In 2022, MCASS received a grant the National Drugs Mission’s Local Support Fund to deliver their Family Life Matters project, supporting both individuals and families affected by substance use dependency. The focus of the project is on rebuilding relationships, restoring trust, and equipping families with the skills to support each other. Meeting people where they are, which often includes their private homes, helped to break down barriers stopping people from accessing support. Dedicated peer support groups for women and men created safe spaces where people can discuss challenges in their lives and enjoy culturally sensitive social activities.
”I have found MCASS more than helpful in my journey to beat my addiction to drugs & alcohol. My worker has been a great support to me and always offered me support, advice with any issue, I have had to overcome so much in my journey of sobriety. I couldn’t praise her enough as I am 100 days sober and in a volunteer position. Which wouldn’t have been possible without such support.”
MCASS support has led to improved family understanding and family dynamics, increased confidence, reduced isolation, reduced violence and fear among families, as well as reduced drug and alcohol use.
“I lost my mum and went down the road of self-destruction, I could not cope. Having MCASS helped me to deal with all my demons and get help. Things are a lot better now and I feel as though I have support to do bigger and better things”.
‘’ I turned to MCASS. I am getting my life back together, it has been hard MCASS has helped me with referrals, I have been to Farsi recovery meeting and some English ones. Your support and info was really helpful, and I am trying to find a second job to keep myself busy and get out of this insane isolation’’
There is more to do however to ensure that organisations are resourced in ways that work for them and the communities they support. Naseem Wali from MCASS has shared her reflections with us on the changes needed within the funding landscape:
“For too long BME voices have not been heard, particularly in regard to equal access to funding programs. There has been a lack of long-term investment to address the root causes and consequences of addiction within families. Without adequate, sustained support and care, the effects are felt across families and communities at every level.
What Corra Foundation has achieved is long overdue. In all the years we have been supporting BME communities, we have never encountered a funder that has opened up funding programs specifically for BME communities, nor one that has made it a priority to collaborate with Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic-led organizations. Corra has taken the lead by organizing learning events and providing opportunities for BME organizations to be heard. By creating a safe space for sharing, learning, and engaging in difficult conversations, they prioritize the lived experiences and expertise of the BME sector, using this knowledge to drive systemic and structural change.”