We are living in a time of the biggest international movement for racial justice sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, United States. Demonstrations of support for anti-racist progress have taken place across the world – from Iran to South Korea; from Edinburgh to every state in the USA.
As discussed by our friends at Drug Policy Alliance, the jokes made by the officer involved in George Floyd’s death about drug use highlight the need for compassionate responses to people who take drugs.
Racial discrimination is not just a US issue and as the support behind the Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted this is the perfect time to examine how we can individually and collectively create communities that are actively anti-racist.
We can also see evidence from our colleagues at Release and Talking Drugs showing that while Black people are less likely to take drugs, they are more likely to be stopped and searched on suspicion of possession and that this has been noticeable in England and Wales during the period of lockdown.
Crew is committed to equality, diversity and community support. Our mission is to reduce drug related harm and improve health outcomes relating to sexual and mental health for people who take drugs. We recognise that we have a voice in the harm reduction field and wider Scottish third-sector. We should use this voice to challenge racism and any other form of discrimination. We are determined to ensure that Black lives matter in the way we work, our services and partnerships.
What you can do
Looking for something to do locally? Intercultural Youth Scotland is a youth led charity providing services for Young Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) Scots during the Black Lives Matter Movement & the COVID-19 pandemic. They offer mentoring, group and 1-2-1 support and are currently raising money to deliver anti-racist education in schools across Scotland.
Useful resources
- Release – The Numbers in Black And White: Ethnic Disparities In The Policing And Prosecution Of Drug Offences In England And Wales
- Black Lives Matter
- Hate Crime and Third Party Reporting
