Why this research matters
Fewer British South Asian people use drug and alcohol services in the UK than we would expect, given the level of need in these communities.
A 2026 government advisory report found gaps in the data on drug use in ethnic minority communities. Because these groups are missing from the data, services are not designed around them, and the gap persists.
Reports such as Dame Carol Black’s review, say we need better understanding of better what different ethnic communities need from treatment.
‘South Asian’ covers many communities with different languages, faiths, histories and experiences. Services rarely reflect these differences.
To improve their support for diverse communities, services should adapt to understand people’s culture.
