As you may know, the 26th of June is the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – it is also the “Global Day of Action” for the SUPPORT. DON’T PUNISH! campaign which was launched by International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) in 2013.
Every year, the Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) coordinates the campaign in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The campaign aims to raise awareness on the harms that are caused by criminalizing people who use drugs and the need for harm reduction and other services that respect the human rights of people who use drugs.
In 2013, people in 41 cities took part in this “Global Day of Action.” In 2014, the number of participating cities increased to 100 worldwide. While in 2015, the campaign reached 160 cities around the world including 14 from the MENA region through the support of MENAHRA and other partners in the region.
With around four weeks remaining for the “Global Day of Action,” we encourage you to organize various activities in your cities throughout the MENA region (some funding available to support activities). You can also contact MENAHRA on info@menahra.org to help you conduct the planned activities. The deadline for submitting funding requests is June 14, 2016.
You can still show your support for the campaign by:
• Recording a small video message supporting the rights of people who use drugs and harm reduction, and sending it to info@menahra.org or upload it on MENAHRA Facebook page
• Taking your photo with the campaign poster, then send it to info@menahra.org to be uploaded as part of the campaign’s Interactive Photo Project
• Changing your Facebook and Twitter profile pictures to the campaign logo on the 26th June and/or uploading our Facebook cover picture
• Visiting www.supportdontpunish.org to register your support and share the campaign
You can also download here guide in English & Arabic, the poster, and other materials from:
http://supportdontpunish.org/day-of-action-2016/
We really look forward to working with you this year, and to making this Day of Action the biggest one yet!
