Is it stigma, is it location or is it a communication problem?
Whatever the root cause, Richmond Addiction Services (RAS) is having serious trouble reaching out to the city's Punjabi community.
For the second year in a row, RAS has organized a "Punjabi Education Series," free drop-ins to help addicts and their families deal with substance abuse and gambling problems.
And for the second year in a row, not one person has darkened RAS's door for the six-date event.
RAS is at a loss to explain the apparent dearth of interest in the Punjabi language led program.
They know there are people suffering - addicts and their families - out there in the Punjabi community.
But, for some reason, the same people who seek help in local hospitals and who tell tales of woe at other RAS events are not coming forward.
Tonight (Wednesday, April 24) is the third in the six-part series of drop-ins and RAS is keeping its fingers crossed the trend will reverse.
"If you look at the amount of people from this demographic who are going to the hospital to be treated for addictions, then you know there are people in the Punjabi community here who need help," said Deshpal Grewal, the practicum counseling student for RAS, who's leading the drop-ins.
"During National Addiction Awareness Week, we held talks at Cambie Community Centre and the Sikh temple on No. 5 Road and it was clear there are people who are looking for help.
"We have advertised this event with all of our partner agencies and at the Cambie Community Centre, but nothing has worked so far."
Grewal suggests the program title "education series" may be putting people off, adding that addicts and their families need hands-on help.
However, RAS' executive director, Rick Dubras, believes a combination of factors may have conspired to discourage the Punjabi community from engaging in the program.
"I think the stigma of addiction in the community most likely has something to do with it, but I think we also have to do a better job of reaching out to them," explained Dubras. "Our poster advertising the series didn't emphasize that this event was in Punjabi, so maybe that is a factor?
"It's really difficult to tell sometimes and we have been successful in the past with the Punjabi community when we've brought in some bigger names."
Balwant Sanghera, a director at Richmond Multicultural Community Services, was in no doubt stigma attached to asking for help for reasons such as addictions is playing a major role in the lack of attendance.
"The Indo-Canadian community is very well connected and people are scared to ask for help because they think everyone will find out," said Sanghera.
"But I would urge people, if they have a problem, please come out and ask for help, (RAS) is an excellent resource.
"Our faith positively encourages people to seek help when they need it and everyone should remember that."
Dubras said when events, such as the one in question, are free, people sometimes don't attach any value to it, and fail to show up.
"Maybe we've not quite struck the right chord with the Punjabi community and don't have as good a relationship as we thought; we have to do better with that as well," he said.
"There's never a guarantee with these things that people will show up, it's all very much trial and error.
"But we are trying our best to break down any barriers and make it as easy as possible."
Wednesday night's drop-in theme is "The Recovery Process." Other themes between now and May 15 include "The Family Context" and "Problem Gambling."
All drop-ins are 7 to 9 p.m. at Richmond Caring Place, 7000 Minoru Blvd. Call 604-270-9220 for more information or log onto www.richmondaddictions.ca.
