The Global Coalition for Alternatives to the Drug War!

Dear drug policy reformer,

As you know, the United Nations will hold the first-ever Special Session of the General Assembly on Drugs, from June 8th to June 10th 1998 in New York.

This session was originally conceived as a critical examination of worldwide anti-drug policy. The focus of this session has now been narrowed. According to the new guidelines, only the expansion of existing policies will be open for discussion. The United Nations aims to escalate current drug repression tactics in a catastrophic quest towards a 'drug free' society. In terms of crime, economic and financial damage, and social and personal harm, this policy is turning into a worldwide crisis.

The organisations listed below consider it of great importance that alternative proposals are heard at the onset of this session. They intend to make a clear statement that what is needed is not escalated repression, but reform policies aimed at reducing the damage currently done. To this aim, these organisations have recently united to form the Global Coalition for Alternatives to the Drug War. You will find their declaration with this letter.

You can join the coalition by signing the declaration. See contact information below.

Members of this coalition are also invited to participate in the 1998 Global Days against the Drug War, which are held Saturday June 6th, Sunday June 7th, and Monday June 8th. This international event will feature discussion forums, seminars, publications, press conferences, demonstrations, street parties, concerts, and other types of events, in many places at the same time. At this moment (March 12th), events have already been announced in more than twenty cities around the world! Note however that participation in the coalition does not itself imply endorsement of these events.

Your organisation can help make the Global Coalition against the Drug War a success. Please join the coalition, co-sign the declaration with us, and, if possible, participate in the 1998 Global Days against the Drug War.

Participating organisations are encouraged to plan their own version of the 1998 Global Days against the Drug War, under their own identity and name.

Early spring of 1998 we will issue press releases with the names of all the organisations that have joined the coalition.

On behalf of the Global Coalition for Alternatives to the Drug War,

with best regards,

Kevin Zeese, president, Common Sense for Drug Policy Foundation Adam Smith, associate director, Drug Reform Coordination Network

Harry Bego, coordinator, the Global Days against the Drug War

To join the coalition, contact kevzeese@laser.net or ajsmith@intr.net.