Next Friday (June 26th) activists in over 100 towns and cities across the globe will gather for a day of action in solidarity with the Support. Don’t Punish campaign.

The campaign calls for better drug policies that prioritise public health and human rights. It also advocates drug policy reform, and the changing of policies which impede access to harm reduction interventions.

In Ireland events are taking place in 10 locations across the country: Athlone, Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Ennis, Galway, Limerick, Navan, and Wexford

A number of speakers will be taking part, such as: Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan MEP, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (Minister for Drugs Strategy), Senator James Heffernan, Dr. Cathal Ó Suilleabháin, and other individuals from various fields like health and law enforcement.

SSDP Ireland and others are the people behind the events in Ireland. This is the second year there have been events in the country. You can see some photos from last years Dublin event here

The 10 events this year make Ireland one of the biggest contributors to day of action by a country. Kudos to all involved.

I asked Sean Lynch from SSDP Ireland for a few words about the events. Here is what he said.

“This June 26th will be Ireland’s biggest ever day of drug policy reform. For too long academics and institutions have been silenced in fear of persecution and alienation from authorities, but today we are ending that taboo by facilitating action and conversation on drug policy in 10 locations across the country.”

As always with such events help is needed with the organisation and promotion of the campaign. Contact SSDP Ireland if you wish to get involved. They can put you in touch with local coordinators.

If you can’t make the events then you can still get involved with the campaign by simply taking a picture.

Alongside the events on the ground, you can also get involved by taking a picture with the ‘Support. Don’t Punish’ campaign poster as part of an interactive photo project. Learn more here

So far thousands of people from across the globe have contributed, and you can see some of the photos here

Visit SSDP Ireland and Support. Don’t Punish if you need more information.

Next Friday is a great chance for those interested in showing their support for changing drug policy to get active. At all locations you will find dedicated activists who are working in the field.

The events will be a great way of networking with likeminded individuals.

It must be said that the attendance of our current Minister for Drugs Strategy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who you can read about here, is a positive thing.

Since taking up the portfolio Ó Ríordáin seems willing to engage with activists, and there are hopefully going to be a number of meetings in the coming weeks.

If you can attend then please do. It would send a strong message to the public, politicians, and media.