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Deck of cards exposes politicians who want to criminalise users

Nice people take drugs; and some politicians do too! A new deck of cards is being produced to mark World Drug Day on 26 June, which shows a number of prominent politicians who have admitted to using drugs. Strangely, they now seem perfectly comfortable with the idea of criminalising others who have similarly experimented with substances such as cannabis and will no doubt be hailing the success of the war on drugs on World Drug Day. There are some cards left unfilled, so please have a look and send in your suggestions of politicians who you think deserve to be part of the pack!

Campaign goes global

The NICE PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS campaign has caught the attention of bloggers, journalists and drug policy activists worldwide. The feedback received at the Release campaign HQ is that this slogan has said something new, that whilst very simple, has never really been said before.

So now we want to shout it from the rooftops (literally). We have asked our friends worldwide to get together at famous landmarks, in big open spaces, or huddled in their offices and re-create the slogan using big flash cards.

You can download the necessary images here and print them off yourself, or email Release, or just leave a comment on this blog. The important thing is that you get involved!

The winner of the best image sent in to Release will receive free t-shirts, merchandise and will have their image chosen to be sent to UK newspapers.

Apparently nice people take drugs and they want us to talk about it

The story about the bus adverts being pulled this week is really taking off. Read further coverage here and here. Before this campaign was launched on 1st June, a google search for "nice people take drugs" returned 4 hits, this morning that number has reached 35,600.

Bus ads pulled

The Nice People Take Drugs adverts that are currently running on London buses are to be pulled by the bus company.

The adverts are being removed despite there not being a single complaint from the public nor any negative press coverage appearing. The campaign has attracted worldwide attention for its truthful message about contemporary drug use and its constructive attempt to engage politicians in a desperately absent debate.

CBS Outdoor, the billboard advertising company that booked the adverts had originally approved the copy for printing but are now taking the advice of CAP (The Committee of Advertising Practice), which expressed concerns about how the adverts might be interpreted. The London bus company then insisted that the adverts are removed. CBS has offered Release the opportunity to put new adverts in place during July, so long as CAP approves the new slogan.