One of the most important things you can do is write to your MP.
MPs need to know that constituents feels strongly on this issue, and that their involvement will have public support.
Writing to your MP is an easy step you can take. It doesn't take long, and can help make all the difference.
You can write to your MP via the post or email. To post a letter simply use the following address:
<Your MP>
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Copy and paste the text on the right into an email to your MP. You can amend the text as you like in order to get your message across, just make sure you keep the statement you are asking them to support in. Add a subject title to describe your email.
If you have a personal story about how the Misuse of Drugs Act has affected you that you would like to share you can add it into the email. A more personalised email has a better chance of being responded to but please don’t worry if you don’t want to add anything just delete the prompt.
You can find your MP’s email address here. As well as your MP’s email address, please copy in campaign@mda50.org , this is really important as it allows us to keep track of which MPs have been contacted. When your MP responds please forward that response to campaign@mda50.org
Make sure to include your name and home address in the email, so it is clear to your MP that you are their constituent. It is parliamentary protocol that MPs respond to their constituents only.
If your MP responds to your email or letter, please forward their response to campaign@mda50.org
<Your name and address here>
<Date>
Dear <your MP’s name>
My name is < your name > and I live in your constituency. I am writing to ask you to support a campaign for drug policy reform, marking the 50th anniversary of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) will be 50 years old this May. In that time it has damaged people and communities, undermined science and entrenched social injustice. It is outdated and not fit for purpose.
The Misuse of Drugs Act was supposed to eliminate illegal drug markets and the harms from drug use. Instead, as the recent Carol Black Review demonstrated, drug use has risen dramatically and UK drug-related deaths are at record levels. Drugs are getting stronger, the violence linked to drugs is getting worse and many vulnerable young people are being exploited in an illegal market that will not disappear. We need to recognise the urgent need for a new approach, and to put reform on the political agenda.
This campaign is being supported by many of the leading drug policy organisations in the UK, including Transform Drug Policy Foundation; Release; DrugScience and the Law Enforcement Action Partnership. You can find out more about the campaign here: https://transformdrugs.org/mda-at-50
More than 50 parliamentarians now support this campaign.
<If you have a personal story to tell, please add it here>
I also urge you to read the harrowing stories of the families who campaign with Anyone’s Child: Families for Safer Drug Control, which show the devastating impact of our criminal justice-led approach: www.anyoneschild.org/stories
The statement I am asking you to support is:
The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) is not fit for purpose. For 50 years, it has failed to reduce drug consumption. Instead it has increased harm, damaged public health and exacerbated social inequalities. Change cannot be delayed any longer. We need reform and new legislation to ensure that future drug policy protects human rights, promotes public health and ensures social justice.
If you agree on the need for change, please reply stating your support for this statement. You may also ask further questions about the campaign by emailing campaign@mda50.org or visit https://transformdrugs.org/mda-at-50 to find out more.
If you want to know more about the debate, the arguments for why current drug policy is failing, and what proposals are being made for how things could be done differently, please consider attending the APPG for Drug Policy Reform's event on the 50th Anniversary of the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will take place 10am-11.30am, Wednesday 26th May, over Zoom. RSVP to alex.worrell@parliament.uk to confirm your attendance.
I look forward to hearing from you to learn your views on this vital issue. I would also be very happy, and grateful, to discuss it with you further.
Yours sincerely
<Your name>
<Your email address>