North Kirklees communities join forces in war against drugs

More than 400 young people and children along with local Imams and community representatives attended the event.

Among the many dignitaries at the event were The Mayor Of Kirklees, Councillor Mumtaz Hussain, Imam Waseem Nazir Athari JP from Dawat-E-Islami, and Imam Aftab Moheyudin from the Ghausia Jamia Mosque of Whittaker Street in Batley.

Other community groups were also represented at the conference including PCSOs from the Dewsbury and Batley police stations, along with other Imams from Mosques across Dewsbury, Batley, Heckmondwike, and Huddersfield.

A spokesman said: “The youngsters heard a powerful thought-provoking talk from a rehabilitated ex-offender on the devastating impact that is left behind from illegal drug dealing and drugs addiction.

“The young man spoke in detail on the horrific impact which his drug dealing had not just on himself, but also on his parents mental health.

“He is now working in the community spreading an important message on the effects of substance misuse.”

Imam Waseem Nazir Athari, from the Dawat-E-Islami Project, said: “As someone who is an appointed JP, I tend to see many distressing cases in my role as a judge at our local magistrates’ courts.

“Whether a person is a drug-addict or dealing in drugs, the impact is widespread on that individual, on his family, and on our wider neighbourhoods.

“We must educate our children and youth who are our future about the dangers of this drugs problem. It is an issue that affects all communities.”