BBC film documentary in Blackburn dealing with drug crimes

Journalist Mobeen Azhar filmed parts of Hometown: A Killing, in Blackburn with Sisterhood’s leader Massarat Rashid and Change Grow Live (CGL) drug counsellor Sarah Subhani.

Mr Azhar has been investigating the death of Mohammed Feazan Ayaz, who was murdered by Raheel Khan in West Yorkshire.

His investigations into drug wars led him to Blackburn, where he met CGL counsellor Sarah Subhani.

In the programme, the 50-year-old talks about how her own mental health led to her taking drugs and how she battled addiction. She has now been clean for five years.

Speaking about why she decided to be featured in the documentary, Miss Subhani said: “I wanted to lift the taboo of mental health and drugs in the Asian community.

“There are so many positive things going on with our town to try and get rid of this stigma.

“It is about doing something good, and Mobeen was impressed, he kept asking why are they are not using this model in other towns?”

Miss Subhani thinks Asian mums need to be more aware of what their children are up to. She said: "Asian mothers need to see the signs as well, noticing the signs for mental health and for drug involvement. If we do not raise awareness, things do not change.”

After going through mental health problems, the mother of two met mosque leaders, who were told she was possessed.

She said: “For somebody who has suffered with mental health, I think we need to look at ways to get help besides just religion."

Through groups like Sisterhood, women in Blackburn are coming together to learn about drugs and preventing their children from taking them.

Mr Azhar also attended a CGL session with Sisterhood, where Massarat Rashid spoke about the importance of groups like hers.

She said “It is to help educate people. Asian mums may be stuck in their homes and without education they don’t know what is going on."

The BBC i player programme is available from next Wednesday.