‘After the War on Drugs: Envisioning a Post-Prohibition World’ -  September 16th-17th 2011, Oxford House, Bethnal Green E2

‘The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world. Fifty years after the initiation of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and 40 years after President Nixon launched the US government’s war on drugs; fundamental reforms in national and global drug control policies are urgently needed’ ~ The Global Commission on Drug Policy 

openDemocracy and Know Drugs are delighted to invite you to join us for a two-day conference on drug and criminal justice policy featuring some of the US & UK’s most active policy makers, activists and media figures, for an exploration of what a post-prohibition society could look like, and how we might get there in our lifetime.

The conference will explore five key themes through a series of 20 minute talks by our panel of expert speakers, followed by questions from the audience. The themes are as follows: promoting scientific and evidence based public health strategies to reduce the harms associated with drugs; promoting human rights; ending stigma and discrimination; reducing crime, disempowering criminals and saving money in law enforcement; and promoting innovative social and economic models for a post prohibition world. 

Confirmed speakers include:

Caroline Lucas MP; Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance; Dr. Axel Klein, Trustee, Transform Drug Policy Foundation and Lecturer in the Study of Addictive Behaviour; Niamh Eastwood, Head of Legal Services, Release; and Damon Barrett, Senior Analyst: Human Rights, at Harm Reduction International; Mat Southwell, Project Manager, International Network of People who Use Drugs;  Alexander and Ann Shulgin, Alexander Shulgin Research Institute; Dr. Anna Waldstein, Lecturer in Medical Antropology, University of Kent; Dimitri Mugianis, Ibogaine Treatment Facilitator and founding member of VOCAL; Charles Shaw, Author, Filmmaker, Journalist, openDemocracy / Exile Nation; Dr. Julie Holland, Psychiatrist; Charlotte Walsh, Law Lecturer; Cara Lavan, Director, Know Drugs; and Michel Negroponte, Director, I'm Dangerous with Love

There are only a limited number of tickets available, which you can purchase at Eventbrite. This event promises to be truly exciting - tickets will sell out quickly so please buy today to avoid disappointment!

A full event schedule will be published over the coming days.