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The thousands of lives lost to drugs laid bare
Campaigners in Bristol have reignited their calls to reform Britain’s drug laws to ensure families “do not have to live in the shadows” of lives lost to drugs.
The sun was shining brightly on College Green on Tuesday as thousands of colourful handmade paper flowers and photographs were laid out on the grass to remember loved ones who have died from drug overdoses.
That includes Luke Campbell, who lost his life after ingesting two lethal ecstasy tablets at the age of 16.
is needed now More than ever
His mother, Claire Campbell, came to the event organised by Transform’s Anyone’s Child: Families for Safer Drug Control campaign to share her story and speak out on the “urgent” need for the legalisation and regulation of the drug market and education of children on drugs in school.
Claire Campbell’s son Luke died after taking MDMA on a night out to mark his final days of school
Campbell, from North Devon, fought back tears as she addressed dozens of people standing around the memorial.
“Luke and others died decades years after the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 – and they shouldn’t have.
“We need to get the laws changed. While the laws aren’t changing, there’s more awareness.
“Hopefully one day, our children will be allowed to be taught things like ‘start low, take it slow’ – phrases I’ve never heard before until it was too late.”
Some 4,305 people lost their lives due to drug overdoses in the UK in 2023
The Misuse of Drugs Act underpins all UK drug policy, establishing criminal offences for a range of activities including possession, supply and production of specified “controlled drugs”.
It has been criticised by Transform and other charities and campaigners for failing to reduce drug consumption and instead increasing harm, damaging public health and exacerbating social inequalities.
The alternative proposed by Transform is a system of legal regulation for all drugs, making currently illegal drugs safer while taking the market away from organised crime.
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Also at the event which was part of a global action led by Support Don’t Punish was Anne-Marie Cockburn, whose only child died from an overdose of MDMA in 2013 and is determined, despite everything, to fight for a positive change.
She praised Bristol for its “progressive” approach to drugs, with charities like Transform working to destigmatise drug and alcohol use.
The Loop in partnership with Bristol Drugs Project and Bristol City Council introduced the UK’s first regular drug-checking service enabling people to hand in substances to be tested and potentially save lives.
Cockburn said: “It’s very sad and frustrating to witness year by year the devastation and damage caused by the outdated policies that have been in place for more than 53 years now.
“Policies that do not protest the young and most vulnerable members of our society. Policies that failed to protest my little girl on the fateful July Saturday.
“We will keep pushing in our campaign for progressive change and ensure that other families do not have to live in the shadows.”
Anyone’s Child: Families for Safer Drug Control campaign is described as “an international network of families whose lives have been wrecked by current drug laws and are now campaigning to change them”
Speaking about the services Bristol Drugs Project offers, CEO Anna Smith added: “People who come through our door in Brunswick Square know they will get non-stigmatised, non-judgmental support for their drug and alcohol use.
“We aim to reduce the harm that they’re experiencing and engage with them whether that’s through access to fresh needles, our wet clinic or just to get a hot drink.”
All photos & video: Betty Woolerton
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