NAPNT Media Alerts: Fourth year in a row for Darwin Syringe Festival

NAPNT Media Alerts

Media Alerts published by the Northern Territory chapter of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP). The Network Against Prohibition (NAP) is a group dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and human rights of illicit drug users around the globe as well as the rights of those living in communities in developing countries who rely on opium, coca, cannabis etc for their survival! NAP originally formed in Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia, however, an expansion is underway.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Fourth year in a row for Darwin Syringe Festival

The SyringeFest will kick-off with a BBQ at the Nightcliff jetty this Monday, September 5, at 5.30pm.

The Fourth Darwin International Syringe Festival is upon us. After much panicking and stress, the NAP crew have agreed to run a low-key festival, focussing mainly on our own community rather than trying to promote the festival and our cause to the general Joe Public. We will use this year’s SyringeFest to strengthen our growing network in the Top End of Australia and beyond!

The SyringeFest organising crew - all Napatistas - have been under financial and emotional pressure, and are having also to contend with the strain of court cases while keeping the NAP campaign going. Several organisers have jail sentences hanging over their heads and more are expected to face jail after upcoming trials in October.

SyringeFest spokesperson Fiona Clarke said: “That SyringeFest 2005 will go ahead is testament to NAP’s commitment, determination and conviction.

“The event has become an integral part of the campaign to end the crazy ‘war on drugs’ and usher in a saner, fairer society. Many nations have joined the struggle.

“It is a symbol of defiance in a war on anything or anyone who thinks ‘outside the box’.”

“This is the fourth year in a row that Darwin’s injecting drug users have come together to challenge the war on drugs, which in our country, is a war on drug users themselves”, said Gary Meyerhoff, one of the organisers, who faces a 21-month jail term for invading the NT Legislative Assembly in May 2002.

Everybody is welcome to support the events planned for the week.

SyringeFest 2005 will start with a BBQ at the Nightcliff jetty on Monday, September 5, at 5.30pm. Please bring your own blanket, tucker and refreshments … and of course, BYO chemicals and herbs. This will be a family event and we hope to see you there!

The schedule for SyringeFest 2005 can be found on the NAP website at: http://www.napnt.org/sf/2005entry.html (click on the image to see the program)

For details, email hq (at) napnt.org or telephone Gary on 0434 393 008 or Fiona on 0406 199 268.