tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56728304492299433162024-08-29T00:45:09.427+09:30May include slightly unusual and often challenging social commentary about the 'War on drugs' and the people that use them. Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-66921862290440191972018-02-21T12:48:00.000+10:302018-02-25T15:13:23.203+10:30

As with wars throughout history, the negative consequences of the “drug war” fall heaviest on the most vulnerable, excluded and marginalized. Drug Users have a lot in common with other marginalized groups, such as LBGTQ’s , sex workers, people with disabilities and asylum seekers. Most people have never met them and know very little about the realities of their lives. Where there is a

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-45152057221014765122018-02-11T18:16:00.001+10:302018-02-12T14:32:18.198+10:30

INPUD is DEAD. DELIBERATELY DESTROYED by MAT SOUTHWELL & SILENCE An Open Letter to INPUD Board, staff, secretariat and Members of the drug user orgs around Australia and the world This is to every one of the user org bosses, staff and board members who turn a blind eye to the abuses of power and corruption that are occurring within INWUD/PUD and says nothing, do nothing and

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-2707611442703279592018-02-11T15:45:00.004+10:302018-02-11T15:45:40.284+10:30

The International Alliance of Women who use drugs (IAWUD) is one such group that provides women-only spaces, where challenges being faced can be shared, along with support. Sydney Criminal Lawyers spoke with Freedom Vivian, spokesperson for IAWUD, about the issues that emerge for women under drug prohibition, the need for women-specific networks, and the failure of Australia to

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-45248266336165372412015-08-19T14:37:00.004+09:302015-08-19T14:42:03.706+09:30

Ask anyone these days and they will tell you that Australia is experiencing an ‘Ice Epidemic’ – anyone that is other than those people who would actually know - those working on the front line in the drug user health services. Interestingly with all the media attention that Ice has been getting you would think that the media would interview those people who represent the users – the Drug User

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-49380626135141222682015-02-05T11:43:00.000+10:302015-02-05T11:44:46.870+10:30

People who use drugs and the role of the Media  Here we are it's 2015 and still the media think its ok to call people who use drugs 'Junkies'. In this particular instance with The Northern Star newspaper in New South Wales in Australia its not just 'Junkie, no not just Junkie but 'Junkie Scum''- Nice! In a attempt to sell newspapers my local rag has gone to denigrating and dehumanizing

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-29411466012480657602014-09-10T12:47:00.002+09:302014-09-10T13:03:23.122+09:30

In their latest report released today Tuesday 9/9/2014 The Global Commission on Drug Policy has called for an official end to the War on Drugs and people who use illicit drugs by UNGASS 2016. The report is the fourth release from the Commission since its inception in 2011 and is calling for more sane, realistic and human drug policies. Not only does the report detail the overwhelming

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-50825396254929354622014-07-30T14:08:00.001+09:302014-07-30T14:08:34.840+09:30

  ‘Without an end to the global war that has long been fought on our community there will be no end to HIV’.  Elliot Albers- EO of INPUD (International Network of People who use Drugs) and community activist.   ‘Without an end to the global war that has long been fought on our community there will be no end to HIV’, says Elliot Albers- EO of INPUD (International Network

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-65262463482493792532014-04-08T09:47:00.001+09:302014-04-08T09:49:35.790+09:30

Responsible vendors, intelligent consumers: Silk Road, the online revolution in drug trading For anyone really interested in the ins and outs of Silk Road a link to a very interesting paper.

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-16820775819279879182014-02-25T10:24:00.000+10:302014-02-25T10:29:34.302+10:30

The House I Live In, directed by Eugene Jarecki, is a 2012 documentary film about the War on Drugs in the United States. The 'War on Drugs' has been the longest war in the history of humankind. It has been fought for over 40 years. And yet - a judge can still snort cocaine off a hookers arse in all 50 states. Drugs are still readily available and just as many people use them as they have in

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-68996060583252229592012-10-31T14:09:00.000+10:302013-06-28T13:36:27.426+09:30

Did you know that there is an International Drug Users Day? Yep that's right, we have a day - November the 1st. One day a year that people who use drugs can choose to celebrate and commemorate  our lives, loves, challenges and choices. Its a day of celebration mainly- not a day to feel bad. We have other days to focus on Overdose and HIV/AIDS but this is the one day for us

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-6479348408715485042012-07-30T15:01:00.000+09:302012-07-30T15:01:50.721+09:30

I have been called a lot of things in my lifetime. Some good, some bad, some accurate,  and some unprintable but for the purpose of this blog I will say; I have been called a junkie and I have been called 'Mum'. As someone who has even changed their name I understand more than most the power of language, and of choice. To be called and known by whatever name you chose and not to be

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-60068606613449265952012-07-17T13:15:00.001+09:302012-07-17T13:20:32.454+09:30

Interview with Lee Hertel Director of Morpheus Project (pt 1) (Freedom) Thanks for joining us today. I understand that you took over the position from Sue Purchase as The Director of Morpheus Project in Minneapolis earlier in the year. Can I start by congratulating you on your promotion? (Lee Hertel) Thank you, Freedom. I appreciate it. I was made Program Director of Morpheus Project this

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-77839825742585552222012-06-27T14:10:00.001+09:302012-06-27T15:27:12.317+09:30

The Global Commission on Drug Policy has just released its second report entitled:  The War on Drugs and HIV/AIDS. How the criminalisation of Drug Use fuels the Global Pandemic.   http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/ The Global Commission is comprised of 6 Former Presidents and other World Leaders (including Sir Richard Branson) and today released its report and urgent&

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-34248408733475346902012-06-12T11:47:00.000+09:302012-06-12T11:47:14.421+09:30

Now this is an interesting little article that looks at the theory of 'the hijacked brain' and whether addiction is 'disease or choice'. Me personally I believe drug use is a choice. There is a difference between using drugs and being addicted to drugs ....however when a human body is experiencing physical addiction and goes through the stage of withdrawal I believe that the

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-71901107420663471712012-06-12T11:16:00.001+09:302012-06-27T15:33:32.346+09:30

There is a scene in the anti-marijuana propaganda film 'Reefer Madness' between a father and his son (a young adult) that goes a little something like this...... Son: I have friends that smoke marijuana and they're not criminalsFather: Only because they haven't been caught yet son.Aargh. Dear God man are you serious? Only because they haven't been caught yet.....I'm not sure but I think he's

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-5414837764282266022012-05-22T14:49:00.002+09:302012-06-19T12:54:16.285+09:30

"We will win"  Victor Ivanov @ The Third World Against Drugs Forum Win what? According to the Obama administration there is no official 'War on Drugs" it's just an extreme position.So now that's just not adding up.Neither is Victors paranoid ranting in his opening speech at the 3rd World Against Drugs Forum about about a 'high scale and highly aggressive PR campaign" that is apparently

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-34218552034633399742012-05-22T13:00:00.000+09:302012-05-22T13:00:53.690+09:30

Addicted to Stigma - COUNT THE COSTS SERIES One of the worst negative consequences of the global war on drugs is stigma - join our campaign and count the costs with us! WEB 1: http://drogriporter.hu/en/stigma WEB 2: http://countthecosts.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0wNCHAZAQfQ" frameborder="0"

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-35562531629122795822012-05-22T12:26:00.000+09:302012-05-22T12:26:29.327+09:30

 US Drug Zar Gil K is using language to reposition the US angle on Drug Policy. At the recent 3rd World Forum Against Drugs Gil K deliberately adopted the language of the Harm Reduction movement and in doing so has morphed US policies in front of our very eyes. Now its not "tough on drugs" or "The War on Drugs', no now hes talking about 'evidence based' and 'science' (god forbid).

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-61186405618209466132012-05-02T13:38:00.000+09:302012-05-02T16:25:00.529+09:30

One of the most depressing things about the drugs argument, is having to witness the wilful ignorance of otherwise-rational friends and relations. Desensitised and conditioned by years of political and media propaganda. The following is part of an exchange between Jerry Dorey and a dear friend of long standing: Friend - “You can't compare booze and fags to heroin! I have lived in

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-19361679545827451302012-05-02T09:25:00.002+09:302012-05-04T17:23:52.988+09:30

When the US drug Czar (what is that?) Gil K starts making sweeping statements about drug reform and legalization that include terminology like 'silver bullets' is time to put this all back into context. Drug reform is not about mythological creatures or things we don't understand. Its quite simple really. The US lead Prohibition "War on Drugs" is a war on drug users, farmers, poor people,

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-30453629316142155192012-04-03T16:52:00.001+09:302012-06-27T15:40:29.473+09:30

Oh its started again. Once again some really smart people (Australia21) create something of value and then all the screeching harpies start their "it wont work" drowning out all intelligent conversation. We have all seen and read all the negative backlash anytime anyone talks about the decriminalisation or the legalization and regulation of drugs. Every idiot and his stupid mate has

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-59771388799940650742012-04-03T16:22:00.001+09:302012-04-03T16:22:37.660+09:30

An ounce of gold is valued at $1,700 and an ounce of heroin costs $12,000 -  now I see why its illegal. Freedom Vivian

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-53434524466924088912012-04-03T13:05:00.000+09:302012-05-04T17:23:52.991+09:30

Australia21http://www.australia21.org.au/ has just released a report into The War on Drugs calling for a rethink on The War on Drugs and Australia's drug policies. After 40 years under Prohibition we know our current policies are counterproductive and cause more harms than the drugs. The Australia21 think tank is comprised of eminent doctors, lawyers, police and a former premier but more

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-63521111836957090722012-03-21T09:02:00.003+10:302012-05-08T15:21:13.269+09:30

Either the prohibition madness stops, or civilised society ceases to exist. That's the choice. It's not about potheads, it's about survival.                                           

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5672830449229943316.post-23065864482400488222012-03-21T08:57:00.000+10:302012-04-24T08:54:28.692+09:30

Oh no wait... says its in Mexico. Hear that Joe, it's ok not to worry its just more dead mexicans. 'Disclaimer: Freedoms sarcastic humour may offend everyone but Joe Bidens racism is equally offensive'. Mexican police killed in highway ambush - Americas - Al Jazeera English#.T2fw9atWOzE.facebook Twelve Mexican police have died in a mountain highway ambush hours after the severed heads of

Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460202868887189507noreply@blogger.com0