activists in more than 130 cities take part in a “Day of Action” to end the drug war
In the build-up to Global Drugs Summit in 2016, activists in more than 130 cities take part in a “Day of Action” to end the drug war
On Friday 26th June 2015, thousands of activists in more than 130 cities around the world will make their voices heard as part of the global support. Don’t Punish campaign. The campaigncalls on governments to put an end to the expensive and counter-productive war on drugs. This war has failed to reduce drug use or supply, it costs in excess of $100 billion each year to enforce, it has led to the mass incarceration of the vulnerable and the poor, and it fuels human rights violations and HIV epidemics.
The 26th June is the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – a day which has traditionally been used by governments to ‘celebrate’ drug arrests, seizures and even executions. The Support. Don’t Punish “Global Day of Action” aim to change the narrative, and to highlight the need for a better approach.
This year, on June 26th, members of the West Africa Drug Policy Network and other partners – in collaboration with the International Drug Policy Consortium, the West Africa Commission on Drugs, and the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) – are organizing public events in 11 countries to generate awareness and promote the Support. Don’t Punish campaign:
- Benin, Cotonou – Conference session/Public gathering
- Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou – Street demonstration with placards
- Gambia, Banjul – Public symposium
- Ghana, Accra – Stake holders Dialogue series
- Ivory Coast, Abidjan – Soccer tournament/outreach programmes and stakeholders meeting
- Liberia, Monrovia – Stakeholders dialogue series
- Mali, Bamako – Public conference/Debate
- Niger, Niamey – Public conference/Debate
- Nigeria, Abuja – Media event
- Senegal, Dakar – Float Parade
- Sierra Leone, Freetown – Radio talk show/Float Parade
In April 2016, governments will come together in New York for a major drugs summit – the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs. This is a rare opportunity for high-level, open debate about the world drug problem, and what is (and what is not) working.
In the build-up to this summit, the “Global Day of Action” is a public show of force for better drug policies. A series of high-profile photo and video opportunities, meetings and seminars, concerts and publicity stunts will take place simultaneously around the world. On this day last year, events were held in 100 cities – including street performances, street art, protests, music events, football tournaments, processions, and even a boat show in the Nile!
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