Award nomination for founder of Turkish drugs project

8:30am Thursday 28th August 2008

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A Turkish community worker has been nominated for an award to recognise his hard work in tackling drugs.

Idris Akansu, 49, is one of the co-founders of the Turkish Cafe Project, a drop-in-centre and outreach programme for local people with drug, alcohol or gambling problems.

In just six months since the project in Wood Green High Road started, the number of Turkish and Kurdish speakers accessing drug services in the borough has gone up.

Mr Akansu said: “I suggested the idea for a year-long project, having seen it work elsewhere. It’s a good way of getting information to people and reducing the stigma around these subjects, particularly with men.”

His Turkish Cafe Project has centred on Green Lanes betting shops, coffee shops and companies, offering advice and information to people about drug use and misuse.

He said: “We are here to listen and talk. This is the way forward, talking to people in their own yard. We really want to give people alternatives. Projects like this can breathe new life into Green Lanes.”

Mr Akansu has been nominated for the Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards which celebrate people on the front-line. He was nominated by Debbie Morgan, manager of Haringey’s Drugs Advisory Service.

She said: “In terms of sheer enthusiasm, commitment and perseverance, Idris always goes the extra mile. He is an excellent ambassador for the service and always mucks in, sometimes working very long hours."

Mr Akansu first came to London in the late 1980s and worked in occupational therapy at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital. For him it is important to reach out to people before it’s too late.

He said: “It’s the work that drives me on - I think it is very important to go to the people before they end up in other services - like A&E, or in custody, or the courts.

“It’s going to them and giving them the information and the services so they can reduce the harm they are doing to themselves and others.

“In this project we are talking to people who have been left out of mainstream services. Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them.”

If Mr Akansu wins the award, he will receive £10,000 to spend on expanding his work.