Making it to the ballot

It is important for governments and elected representatives to know that drug policy issues are of concern to the general public and, more specifically, their constituents. Below are some of the tried-and-true ways to reach out to your elected representatives. If you have any ideas to add share them here.

Writing to your government and elected official(s)

Writing to or contacting your local government representative – such as a municipal Council member, your Member of Parliament, Congress or Senate – is a simple and effective way to express your concern about current drug policies, and your support for health- and evidence-based approaches. It is also an opportunity to inform them about the Declaration and its aims and how it is relevant to you and your community. Describing the local, community-level harms of the current drug policy regime may also resonate more strongly with elected officials that do not view drug policy reform as a local-level issue that impacts their constituents.

Remember to point to other local or international elected representatives as examples of politicians who were willing to support evidence-based drug policies if you think it will motivate your representative to play closer attention. For a list of the elected officials who have already endorsed the Vienna Declaration, click here.

In many cases, elected representatives are required to respond to communications from their constituents, whether they are supportive of your position or not. If your government or representative does not respond to your communications, it is still important that the public and constituents voice their support for the declaration and evidence-based drug policies to keep these issues on the political and policy agenda.

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with your elected representative(s). The following are popular techniques for engaging your elected representatives listed in order of their assumed impact: meeting in person, speaking on the phone, sending a letter, or writing an email.

Passing a motion or resolution

Evidence clearly demonstrates that drug prohibition is a policy failure and has had an overwhelmingly negative impact on public health and safety. It is important for governments and elected representatives to start taking a leadership role in supporting and implementing more effective, evidence-based drug policies. One way for a government to demonstrate their support is by passing a motion or a resolution endorsing the Vienna Declaration. Although passing a motion does not constitute a legislative policy change, it formalizes and reinforces a government’s commitment to evidence-based drug policies. In many ways, this is an important first step in building a foundation that supports future evidence-based policy development.

If you are approaching an elected official/body or policymaker and believe that a letter of support from the Vienna Declaration organizing committee would be helpful email declaration [at] icsdp.org.

Vote!

If drug policy reform and evidence-based drug policies are critically important to you, vote for political candidates that will best represent these issues and push for government change. Ask your local candidates about their position on drug policy issues and openly support the candidate(s) that best represents your own views.

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