An introduction to the Network Against Prohibition NT

The recently formed Network Against Prohibition (NAP) based in Darwin in the Northern Territory has, through their high profile activities and protests, managed to capture a great deal of attention and media interest over the past few months. Their independent and highly politicised direct action approach has also generated equal amounts of eager support and strong criticism from many different quarters. Although, at this stage, there is no formal relationship between AIVL and NAP, as this issue is focussed on drug user organising, we thought it was appropriate to include a profile on this emerging group that seems to engender such intense emotions. As Junkmail does not believe in censorship, we thought that we would allow readers to make up their own mind…

NAP (NT) was established on 7th March 2002 as an outcome of a rally facilitated by the Top End Users’ Forum (www.tuf.org.au) outside the Northern Territory Parliament House on that day. Although NAP has not been established for a six month period, the network has demonstrated a consistent pattern of communication and group activity. Weekly meetings have been held since the 7th of March and these continue to be well attended.

NAP ACTIVITY

NAP has undertaken a considerable amount of group activity during this period. These activities include:

• Weekly market stalls at the Mindil and Nightcliff markets;
• Stalls at the Gay and Lesbian Pride Fairday and other events;
• A demonstration outside the NT Justice Department;
• People handing themselves into police for self-administration of a dangerous drug (namely Cannabis)
• Community ‘smoke-ins,’ now monthly. (These events have been held in April and June and are basically rallies calling for an end to the attacks on the human rights of drug users;)
• A peaceful occupation of the NT Legislative Assembly, whilst it was in motion, and;
• Two rallies against the police state, outside the NT Parliament.

During this period, NAP has also maintained a comprehensive website (http://napnt.tripod.com), an email list, distributed numerous articles and information pamphlets, conducted intense media work and has launched a new Darwin activist newspaper “Darwin’s Evolution” (http://darwinevo.tripod.com) in conjunction with other human rights activists.

NAP has a short term plan that spans the next three years. NAP will continue to facilitate the “Smoke-up for Human Rights” demonstrations on a monthly basis. NAP members have also recently organised and held the inaugural “Darwin Syringe Festival” (August 3 to 14), a week long wake/celebration/demonstration, celebrating drug culture, remembering those who have lost their lives due to the drug war and a demonstration to push for an end to attacks on drug users. (http://napnt.tripod.com/Syringe-Festival.htm)

COURT HEARINGS

NAP members are also gearing up for a number of court hearings that will probably be before the courts some time in 2003. At this stage, ten NAP members are facing charges for the peaceful occupation of the parliament and three hearing dates for other charges have already been set.

FORMED BY DRUG USERS

NAP was formed by a group of drug users who were alarmed at the approach being taken by the NT Labor Government. Although the majority of NAP’s members are drug users, the group is open to anyone who supports our aims and objectives i.e. human rights activists, family members or just people from the community who want to help end the war on drugs.

NAP has a core group of members who attend most of the weekly meetings and/or are involved in the planning and organisation of activities. NAP also has a phone contact list, these people are drawn upon to take part in actions or to assist NAP in some other way. There is also the NAPNT email list.

The formation of NAP indicates a move away from the “small l liberal” approach of working with governments through committees and the writing of endless submissions. NAP members are concerned that this approach is not working and that the small gains won through this approach are continually taken away by subsequent governments. NAP undertakes to use non-violent direct action in our struggle to end the “war on drugs” in the Northern Territory.

We aim to:

1.Use non-violent direct action to bring an end to the “war on drugs”;

2. Increase community awareness of the impact of prohibition on the health of drug users, and;

3.Involve drug users, their family members and other community members in the ongoing work of NAP.

Engaging drug users is a priority of NAP. As stated previously, NAP was formed by drug users. NAP maintains regular contact with users from a range of sub-groups through our network. We are in regular contact with TUF, the established drug user organisation in the Northern Territory. Drug users are actively recruited through our stalls and other actions and by inviting them to attend weekly meetings.

At this stage, NAP does not have a constitution and is not legally incorporated. This is a complex issue. It is envisaged that NAP will have a constitution within twelve months, however, the group has decided that we will not be seeking formal government incorporation. Group members felt, that due to the nature of our activities, incorporation would increase the legal liability of members.

We have no intention of seeking funds from any government source.

By

Gary Meyerhoff

NAP Convener

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 7th November 2002
Source: Junkmail (Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League)
Author: Gary Meyerhoff
Contact: www@aivl.org.au
Website: http://www.aivl.org.au
Copyright: 2002 Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League