Striking bus campaign: Nice people take drugs

British Drug law and policy organisation ‘Release’ has recently launched a new campaign that kicks off with an attention-grabbing bus poster. Busses will be driving around London with a banner on it that says: Nice people take drugs.

Release hopes their campaign will start a debate about the kind of drug policy the country wants to see. It has become clear that the ‘war on drugs’ has failed and many believe a different – safer – policy is needed. Harm reduction and decriminalisation have proven to be much more effective than simply banning substances and arresting people who use them. Release’s Sebastian Saville argues that:

“the constant association by politicians and the media of drugs with words like evil and shame simply does not reflect most people’s experience of drugs. The public is tired of the artificial representation of drugs in society, which is not truthful about the fact that all sorts of people use drugs. If we are to have a fair and effective drug policy, it must be premised on this reality first and foremost.”

In this excellent article, Claudia Rubin explains that criminalisation and stigmatisation does not solve any problems. Not only is the current strategy very cost inefficient, drug cartels have been profiting from it, and will continue to do so.

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Comments

Joe - 2009-06-05 09:54:47

+12

HERE HERE!
The beginning of what shall hopefully become a new era!
Britain leading the way again! Hopefully other countries will catch on, and soon we will have a more peaceful world!
Portugal etc have already done it! Decriminalisation is the way forward!

Joe x x x

Anon - 2009-06-07 12:18:37

Are people finally starting to listen?
maybe one day we will all enjoy ourselves without the worry of being arrested and branded as criminals. :)

sept0101 - 2009-06-08 16:20:04

I am afraid to say, Britain is not leading the way. They have always been tolerant, at least with small amounts. Britain has alot more serious stuff to think abt than a few zoned out citizens. And in general there are quite a few european countries that adopted a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ON ANY 'DRUG'. How are these signs on filthy buses gna help in educating people on a matter of personal choice and experience?? I think they will only cause confusion..last year cannabis wen from C to B class... =/

FirenzeOfMunich - 2009-06-11 14:54:49

-2

Not only nice people take drugs... confusing

2nd view - 2009-06-14 13:05:00

i think they should be much carefuller with a statement like that
very dangerous to the stupid people

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