CB Media rel INTERNATIONAL DRUG USERS’ DAY

[madmick19]

# # # # # #MEDIA RELEASE# # # # # #
INTERNATIONAL DRUG USERS’ DAY - 1 NOVEMBER 2005
________________________________________


At the start of yet another summer party season CodeBlue celebrates International Drug Users’ Day, a day where the voice and concerns of drug users can be heard without the total persecution which would normally occur.

“This is a day where non-problematic drug users can openly share experiences and opinions on their health and safety without being demonised or portrayed by both the government and the media as absolutely evil and dangerous” said Michael Haines, Director of CodeBlue Harm Reduction Services ACT/NSW.

There is now a social acceptance of party drugs and a softening of the image of drugs. Party drugs such as ecstasy have now established themselves as a social lubricant for Canberra’s young adults, similar to the legal drug alcohol.

This is a day where both the Federal and state governments have an opportunity to listen to the voice of illicit drug users, and to actively involve them in a dialogue about the health and safety issues encountered by drug users.

International Drug Users’ Day has been overshadowed in Canberra by scornful comments in the media made by AFP Deputy Chief Shane Connelly where he states that the AFP is actively targeting drug users themselves.

“By using threats of imprisonment, fines, and by preaching the same rhetoric as the Federal Government, the Australian Federal Police have further hurt their credibility amongst the non-problematic drug using community. This approach also has been shown to produce more negative health effects for drug users.

“The drug using community has grown up with fear-based campaigns from health departments and governments throughout the world, which have been discredited by their own experience of drugs,” Mr Haines explained.

CodeBlue will celebrate International Drug Users’ Day by providing free -on site adulterant screening services to Canberra’s party drug users this weekend.


CODEBLUEHarm Reduction Services ACT/NSW
"Because sometimes what you don't know, can harm you”
Media contact
Mr Michael Haines
Director
CodeBlue Harm Reduction Services ACT/NSW

 

[POAIVL]

Great to see recognition of International Drug Users day here. Just for those who are not aware the first ‘International’ Drug Users Day was organised and held on 1 November 1999 by Project LSD the national drug users’ organisation in the Netherlands. In 2004 over ten countries participated in International Drug Users Day including the Netherlands, Germany, England, Ireland, Demark, Belgium, France, Spain, Slovenia, Russia and Australia.
Theo van Dam from Project LSD describes the value of International Drug Users Day in the following way “Drug users have found this day very valuable. At least for one day in the year, there are no people looking at you with disdain, and one feels accepted as a 'human being', so to speak.” Today in Dutch cities, drug users will march the streets demanding health and human rights. There will also be an internatioanl meeting of drug user from many countries. It is great to see this day being acknowledged here in Australia. AIVL and our memebr organisatiosn have also undertaken media work alongside various activites for example if you are in Victoria keep your eye out for one of the fantastic posters that VIVAIDS developed and has distributed.