On the International Drug User's Day, November 1, 2009, activists organized a protest in front of the Federal Drug Control Service (FDCS) in Moscow to pay tribute to the memory of people died of drugs. The protesters laid flowers and white slippers (the symbol of death) on the doorsteps of the agency's building to remember the great number of lives claimed by inhumane Russian drug policy.
Every year thousands of people die in Russia because of drug related overdoses and infections - many of these deaths could be easily prevented with the help of evidence based harm reduction programs. Despite the evidence showing the effectiveness of these programs, the anti-drug agency pursues a war on drug users - and like in every wars, the first causulty is truth.
The peacful protest was ended by police brutality, five portesters were arrested and detained for five hours, later they were summoned to a magistrate court. This is how Russian authorities respond to citizens who express their opinion on government policies - and the rest of Europe is assisting because they prefer economic interests over human rights.
For more drug policy films go to: www.drugreporter.net
Heavy-Metal Weed
An incredible case of extenders again, this time from the UK.
There, somebody has iron particles found in his grass - and it made a video. While the ultimate responsibility for the contamination is the result of unscrupulous dealers, there is no doubt an effect of cannabis prohibition, which paves the way for such a behavior.
Lead the way, is not magnetic!
