New film: ‘Why I want to legally regulate drugs’

Following the conclusion of this week’s UN meetings on drug policy, Health Poverty Action launches a new film, ‘Why I want to legally regulate drugs’.

From restricting access to medicines to destroying the livelihoods of poor farmers, the so-called ‘war on drugs’ is harming people across the world  – including inflicting violence and racism on marginalised communities.

This is the issue explored in our new film: 

The film, directed by Andrew Davies of Campaign Film is shot in the favelas of Sao Paulo. It provides honest testimonies from people directly affected by the failed ‘war on drugs’ in one of Brazil’s poorest cities.

The story is told by Marcio, who describes one of the key impacts of prohibition in his community: violent and racist policing targeted at the poorest, made worse by a lack of state support and social services.

Marcio’s experience is echoed in the testimonies of people around the world. From Sao Paolo, London, Bangkok, and Cusco. Whilst the UN  can feel removed from the everyday lives of people, this film explores, in the words of those affected, some of the damage caused by the so-called ‘war on drugs’.

Like us, Marcio believes the drugs trade needs to be legally regulated. Regulating drugs will make them safer and restrict who can access them. It will reduce violence and corruption by replacing the illicit drugs market with one that safeguards livelihoods and communities. It will mean that the money spent on upholding prohibition can be directed to health and social services.

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