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For many people, last Monday was not any old Monday. For the 10th consecutive year, June 26th was recognized in calendars around the world as the International 'Support. Don’t Punish' Day. This year, it was celebrated in 91 countries and 275 cities.

But…what exactly is 'Support. Don’t Punish' all about? A global advocacy campaign, it calls for drug policies based on health, well-being, and human rights, as well as the abolition of prohibitionist drug laws which lead to stigma and criminalization of people who use drugs.

Who wants to be a millionaire anti-prohibitionist? 

Despite the intense heat, dozens of people gathered at the Rambla del Raval at noon to celebrate this special day together. With a presence and energy, for another year anti-prohibitionist organizations and activists from around Cataluña showcased the commitment and unity of this community network via CATNPUD (the Catalan Network of People Who Use Drugs).

The day kicked off under the tent, with the reading of the manifesto that outlined some of the principal objectives of Cataluña’s 2023 campaign. They included, for one, defending the sustainability of the Servicio de Adicciones y Salud Mental del Hospital Sant Joan de Reus (the Addiction and Mental Health Services at the Hospital Sant Joan de Reus)– created using a holistic risk and harm reduction framework— as well as recognizing the work of Dr Tre Borràs–recently let go from her position as director there.

Additionally, the manifesto highlighted the cannabis user and grower associations (CSC), a Catalan model replicated internationally that responds to risks associated with using cannabis from the illegal market. Its future is currently at risk due to the changing political climate in the whole territory.

However, as we always say, "there is no revolution without feathers and glitter". For this reason, the day’s calls to action were accompanied by an atmosphere of partying and celebration in the public space– a space that also belongs to us and where we once again wanted to make ourselves visible. In the same way, in the 'Anti-Prohibitionist Olympics', participants worked in teams to compete in three events ('Who wants to be a millionaire anti-prohibitionist?', 'Lysergic Painting' and 'Outlandish Improvisations'), demonstrating their knowledge and skills of themes related to the campaign and the world of substances: it was a game show-worthy scene.

The Voice of People Who Use Drugs

Throughout the whole day, neighbors from el Raval came to join us, along with other passersby, who were curious and asked what was happening in this space where there was a stage, music, signs and, above all, laughter. Also present were representatives and participants from the organizing groups: CATNPUD, Metzineres, ARSU, XADUD, Asaupam, CatFAC, ConFAC, Episteme Social, REMA, ICEERS, AUPA’M, Dona Arsu Tot and Fundació Àmbit Prevenció.

All these organizations, furthermore, are signers of the manifesto where we denounce "the current macropolitics of health which are putting at risk the sustainability of the networks and structures that permit this kind of community refuge. As well as the risks inherent in the sanitary and client models that seek to make public health 'efficient' in Cataluña".

Alongside a delicious meal, Metzineres’ director Aura Roig and lawyer Marta Valldaura presented the 'Guia pràctica per fer front a la criminalització policial i judicial'. Its impetus, they explained, came from concerns and questions voiced by Metzineres’ participants. The guide aims to provide information on the protected rights of people in situations of vulnerability and violence. It also offers practical tools to more easily navigate certain interactions with the police and judicial system.

Of course, the radio was there. On this occasion, we listened to a live episode of 'El lado oscuro del Raval' (The Dark Side of el Raval) by members of Fundación Àmbit Prevenció. The episode brought together various testimonies from people who use drugs, who came to the table to talk and share experiences that they go through in their daily lives.

Nevertheless, one of the most anticipated moments of the day was yet to come. Following Vidda Priego’s marvelous autobiographical monologue that scandalized more than one about her reality as a trans bisexual person, DJ MariKarmen Free turned our spot on the Rambla del Raval into a small oasis, where we danced, sang, and jumped and where diversity and intersectionality were the protagonists. It was the grand finale to an unforgettable day of revelry, action, and sisterhood.

An International Success Story, in Danger

The very next day on June 27th, the Hospital Sant Joan de Reus hosted a photography exhibit called ‘Amb Cara de Dona’: a journey through the stories of the members of Dona Arsu Tot –an entity belonging to ARSU (Asociación A Reus Som Útiles). The organization was created in 1999 with the aim of accompanying people using drugs affected by a lack of social support as well as other negative consequences derived from prohibitionist politics.

This time, the manifesto was read at the hospital’s front entrance. Canal Reus TV was present, as well as other groups and activists who came in support of Dr. Tre Borràs and to denounce the injustice being faced by the hospital’s Servicio de Adicciones y Salud Mental.

The text was another reminder of the principal demands: to abolish all drug laws based on penal control; to repair the harms inflicted upon communities by prohibition; to promote a market regulation based on the rights of consumers, not corporate interests. All the while, we proclaimed: "We defend the sustainability of the Reus Model and all harm reduction projects that address the social gaps that those in power insist on maintaining and reproducing".

Read the full manifesto here