Activists in 26 cities around the world have taken to the streets for a historic day of action to raise awareness of the harms caused by the ‘war on drugs’.

The Support. Don't Punish Day of Action coincides with the United Nations’ International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Caroline Lucas MP, who is leading a high profile bid for a review of the UK's drug laws, joined over 100 drug policy campaigners wearing masks of former US President Richard Nixon outside the Houses of Parliament to support calls for an end to the failed drugs war.

Nixon launched the so-called 'war on drugs' around 40 years ago and was the first high-profile politician to use the phrase.

While the ‘war’ has led to harsh penalties and the mass imprisonment of people who use drugs, it has failed to reduce global drug use or to stifle a multi-billion illicit drug market.  

Furthermore, of the 16 million people who inject drugs worldwide, around three million are living with HIV and two-thirds are living with hepatitis C.

People who inject drugs also account for one-third of all HIV infections outside of sub-Saharan Africa.

The Brighton Pavilion MP said:

"By criminalising millions of people around the world as part of the ‘war on drugs’, we are failing to tackle the root causes of the drug problem.

"Governments now need to take an approach based on evidence – and one which deals with drugs as a health issue, not a criminal one.

"By criminalising people with drug addictions, we also risk fuelling the HIV epidemic, so it is crucial that we get behind this important message to 'support, not punish'”.

Ann Fordham, Executive Director of the International Drug Policy Consortium, a UK based lead partner in the campaign, said:

"The Support. Don't Punish campaign shines a light on the large scale damage that has been caused by the ‘war on drugs'.

"It is time for policy makers to repair this damage, and to leave behind the harmful politics, ideology and prejudice.

"It is time to prioritise the health and welfare of people who use drugs, and their families and communities."

"Criminalizing and incarcerating people who use drugs has ruined thousands of lives and led to their discrimination and stigmatisation which in turn impedes their access to lifesaving health and HIV prevention, treatment and care services," added Enrique Restoy of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

ENDS

Notes

The SUPPORT DON’T PUNISH campaign is a global initiative being led by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD) and Harm Reduction International (HRI)