Events

2011 - the year of anniversaries

As the battle to change unjust and damaging drug laws continues, and as thousands of people remain in harms way from their drug use and the poor policies that surround it, the passage of time may hold little relevance. But the media may be persuaded to take more of an interest in these issues, as several key dates in the history of misguided attempts at drug control reach their anniversaries.

2011 marks 50 years since...

1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs - an international treaty that codified all existing multilateral treaties on drug control and extended them to include cultivation of plants grown as raw materials.

2011 marks 40 years since...

1971 Misuse of Drugs Act - a series of offences such as possession, supply and the use of premises to produce drugs are proscribed by UK Parliament.

1971 War on Drugs begins - June 17 was the day that President Richard Nixon first used the term which has come to describe the broad set of policies pursued by the USA and others to prohibit the cultivation, trade and use of narcotic drugs. Despite avoiding using this term since taking office, the policies pursued by the Obama administration ensure that this remains America's longest ongoing war.

1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances - establishes international controls for a broader spectrum of drugs including synthetic substances.

Release Annual Conference - 22nd October 2009

Thank you to all those who participated in or attended the conference this year. It was a great success. For a full report, please click here.

This year's Release conference will take place at The Quad in Derby, and will focus on the topic of drug treatment and the law. This conference is essential for anyone working in the field of drug use and will address many of those issues which impact on both clients and workers.

We have an excellent group of speakers confirmed for the event, including Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Employment & Welfare Reform, Professor John Strang, Dr Emily Finch, Charlie Lloyd and William Pryor. They will cover topics such as:

• Treatment or poverty: what a new benefit system will mean
• Drug users doing it for themselves: Naloxone, peer-led initiatives and their legal barriers
• Sex workers: what do rehabilitation orders really mean for them?
• Drug paraphernalia: what is the law and when will it change?
• Drug consumption rooms: Sydney, Vancouver and Frankfurt – could Derby be next?

The cost for the day, which includes lunch, is £195 + VAT (concessionary rates available). Places will fill up quickly.

Film Screening, December 2008

At an exclusive event at the Brixton Ritzy cinema, friends and supporters of Release gathered together to watch American Violet, a new film from Tim Disney. Three months ahead of its release date in the USA, Release was proud to host the first ever UK showing of this film, which highlights the racial tensions in drug policy in the USA.

An exclusive clip can be viewed here, or to learn more about the film please visit americanviolet.com.

Thanks go to Tim Disney for travelling to the UK to join us for a very enjoyable evening.

Release Conference 2008

18 September, Hampstead Theatre

With a focus on race and discrimination within drugs policy, our conference this year tackled an important and challenging topic. Read an overview of the day and to hear what our speakers had to say.