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.

More coverage in the Guardian

Seth Freedman, one of the Guardian's Comment is Free most popular contributors has aired his thoughts on the campaign. Read it here and leave your comment.

Press Coverage

The Guardian has published an article by Release's head of policy & communications that sets out the ideas behind the campaign.  It has received lots of comments - read the article and leave your thoughts.

A new campaign launched by Release

Nice People Take Drugs is a campaign run by UK drugs organisation Release.  It started on 1st June 2009 with the slogan emblazoned across London buses and has been capturing the attention of the public and the media.

The simple slogan was chosen to trigger a debate about UK drug policy that would then encourage politicians to engage properly with the subject too.  

Whether you want a total end to prohibition, a regulated international drug market or more of a focus on public health, we need to start by getting the politicians in a room with the experts and begin to address the total failure of current drug laws.

To do this we need your help. We want to run more buses across more cities in the UK, pay for more adverts, get more coverage in the press, produce merchandise, recruit supporters and force the UK government to take notice. 

Contact us to let us know you want to be kept up to date and can take action to support us.