Victorian drug users establish Network Against Prohibition
The 15th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm, held in Melbourne this year, was an excellent opportunity for people who use illicit drugs from around Australia and the world to be in the same place at the same time. Whilst the content of the actual conference was inconsistent in terms of its commitment to fundamental harm reduction, the inspiration gained from the dedication of the drug users present was priceless. Progressive work from people who don’t use illicit drugs was also of great value.
In light of the consolidation that did take place at both the conference and the Users’ Meeting that preceded it, a decision has been made to form a Victorian network against prohibition. To be named NAPVIC (Network Against Prohibition Victoria), the network will seek no funding from government bodies or the private sector in its aim to become a political driving force in the struggle to end the war on drugs. NAPVIC will fall in line with a significant history of drug user organising that has served to empower people who use illicit drugs to stand against the nonsensical, destructive, exploitative and inhumane set-up that is prohibition.
As reflected in the patchiness of the conference, the international drug user movement is under attack and thus needs to maintain solidarity in order to survive amidst a backlash of media lies and human rights abuses. To contribute to the strengthening process here in Australia, NAPVIC has aligned, through both name and practice, with the Network Against Prohibition Northern Territory (NAPNT). NAPNT was first formed on the 7th of March, 2002 as a response to the Northern Territory Labor Government’s drug house legislation and as a response to the human rights abuses faced by drug users around the globe.
Like NAPNT, NAPVIC aims to:
-Use non-violent direct action to bring an end to the war on drugs (which is really a war on people).
-Increase community awareness of the impact of prohibition on the health and well being of both drug users and the broader community.
-Involve people who use illicit drugs, their loved ones and other community members in the ongoing work of NAPVIC.
Non-violent direct action has been proven to be effective in this struggle as has been seen in Vancouver, Canada, whereby an illegal drug consumption house has led to progressive reforms, and Argentina, where people are marching for marijuana law reform. Both these scenarios were presented at this year’s conference. Now is the time to end the war on drugs.
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