DRUG services in Preston are failing people from the African Caribbean communities, according to a new report.

After a lengthy project into drug services available to black people in the town the report found local agencies still had "a long way to go to meet the needs of African Caribbean service users".

The 75-page RESPECT report was researched and written by community development worker Tyrone King and supported by Drugline Lancashire with funding from Comic Relief.

It focused on the needs of the Young African Caribbean community in Preston with regard to drug use and the resources available to them.

Research came from studies of established texts, questionnaires to members of the African Caribbean community and written questionnaire responses from five drug service providers in the town -- although 13 agencies were asked to take part.

While people from the African Caribbean community make up around 1.2 per cent of the town's population the findings from local agencies revealed just two per cent used their services compared to 95 per cent of the white population.

And while the study revealed 80 per cent of African Caribbean people aged 16 to 20 in Preston believed there was a drug problem in their community the report concluded drug service agencies were not "user friendly" to black people.

Reasons given for this perception included the lack of African Caribbean people employed in drug service agencies in Preston.

Tyrone's report states: "The research has shown that Africa Caribbean people are less likely to approach drug services than white people.

"The main reasons given were services are perceived as being run for and by white people. The other reason is that the services are generally not known."

Since launching the report last week Tyrone, who has received a DfEE Exceptional Achievement Award for his work as a community development worker in Preston, is aiming to encourage agencies to review their services with regard to dealing with people from African Caribbean communities.

Avenues documented for consideration include talking to community groups about the services on offer, satellite sessions in community resource centres, out reach work and the development of exclusive services, staffed appropriately and vigorously promoted.

Pictured isTyrone King with Education Secretary David Blunkett receiving his DfEE Exceptional Achievement Award..