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As the final chapter of Rave New World states, declaring ‘war’ on drugs is like declaring war on night-time. Pass as many laws as you want, increase punishments and market the message until its branded into the backs of everyone’s eyelids, but the sun will still set, and darkness will inevitably fall.
No matter what society tells them, young people will always experiment and experience the gift of life they’ve been handed to the fullest extent they can. This is not surprising - they are encouraged to so by mainstream corporate advertising,
We live in a society which worships at the altar of sensuality and encourages exploration and experimentation. The genie is out of the bottle. You can’t expect a generation who have grown up being urged to “Just do it”…“Taste the rainbow”…“Go further”…”Live boldly” to not be interested in altering their consciousness, increasing their vigour and energy levels or be on trend chemically as well as musically and youth culturally.
The genie is out of the bottle and can’t be put back inside. The tide will come in regardless of whether a Tory Home Secretary sits on a throne telling it to turn back.
Crisis management strategy teaches that if prevention fails, (a fire breaking out for example), it needs to be managed.
As regards unlicensed / illegal drug use, there’s an awful lot of smoke. The fire brigade (police and drug charities) can’t put them all out. The situation needs to be managed.
This could involve decimalising, harm reduction programmes and education.
Over 95% of people harm reduction charity The Loop speak to say they have not had any form of drug education or harm reduction information to assist them in making informed decisions.
In a society which sees an increasing number of new psychoactive substances (nps) and the emergence of previously ‘taboo’ drugs being used like crystal meths, its essential that people know what they are taking.
Drug testing is at the centre of the battle. Opponents claim it encourages drug use and its implementation is a white flag of surrender in the war on drugs and irresponsible. If anything it’s the opposite. We owe young people a duty of care to intervene and manage the situation. The technology exists to test substances and highlight dangerous impurities. Testing could save lives.
The Loop’s experience is that two-thirds of people discard substances if shown that these are not what they intended to purchase.
Every copy of Rave New World: Confessions of a raving reporter sold will contribute in a small way to the provision of drug testing. A percentage of profits from the UK sales is being donated to The Loop. Author Kirk Field will be talking about the work they do and their aim to attain a Home Office licence in order to carry out LEGAL onsite resting at festivals and events) at his spoken word shows at festivals and clubs ( all previous testing has been technically illegal).
Katy Porter, CEO of The Loop: “We welcome Kirk’s support and the recognition of the role and importance of drug checking services, and with thanks for his generous donation to our work. We wish him every success with the book and his shows.”
To find out more about The Loop visit www.wearetheloop.org
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