Drug Users make tracks to Australia's Northern Territory

Media Alert

13th August 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Drug Users make Tracks to Australia’s Northern Territory

Tracks of a different kind will be laid in the Northern Territory of Australia in September as dozens of illicit drug users converge on the city of Darwin for the 2nd Darwin International Syringe Festival.

The Syringe Festival was first held in Darwin in August 2002. The event, organised by the Network Against Prohibition was held as a protest against the Territory’s new “drug house” laws that came into effect on August 1 last year, as well as a celebration of drug culture.

The “drug house” laws give the Territory the dubious distinction of having the harshest drug laws in Australia. They enable police to place a sign on the front door of a house they suspect to be a “drug house” and raid it without a warrant whenever they choose. The signs are put up well before anyone has had their day in court, before any findings of guilt by the courts.

This years Syringe Festival includes an art competition and exhibition, a cabaret dinner night for local users, an underground dance party, a community smoke-in and a tour of injustice.

A major part of the Syringe Festival will be the 1st International Conference on Using Direct Action to End the War on Drugs. The conference will focus on different direct action and protest techniques that can be applied to help bring about a swift end to the illegal war on drugs. Delegates from around the world will share their experiences and learn new ways to educate the community of the clear and present danger of the US led approach to illicit drugs.

NAP, the organising body for the Festival and Conference, have been using direct action and protest over the past 18 months to highlight the injustices faced by illicit drug users in the Territory. Actions have included regular community smoke-ins and a peaceful entry into the Territory’s Legislative Assembly, an entry that cost five activists hefty jail sentences. These are on appeal.

For further info see our website http://www.napnt.org or call Nicolette at the Syringe Festival office on 61 (0) 8 8942 0570 or 61 (0)418 985 701.