Get organized

Guidelines for setting up and developing users’ organizations in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States (CEE/NIS)

A publication of the Dutch National Interest Group of Drug Users commissioned by the Open Society Institute’s International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD).

De Wijk (NL) / New York (USA), April 2003

Loes Linssen, Daan van der Gouwe, Theo van Dam

Translated into English by Sheila Gogol

Project: Organizing self-help for drug users in CEE/NIS (2001-2003)

Funded by the Open Society Institute’s International Harm Reduction Development Program

Project implementation: Loes Linssen, Daan van der Gouwe, Theo van Dam (LSD) in conjunction with users’ organizations in the various countries.

This publication can be ordered from the Dutch National Interest Group of Drug Users at info@lsd.nl

Foreword to Get Organized!

Drug use is all about politics.  Because the “war on drugs” approach has become dominant in most parts of the world, today we have to deal with the social marginalization of drug users and the massive prioritization of law enforcement over people’s well-being.  People can be thrown in jail for possessing even the smallest amounts of drugs, or denied housing, jobs or voting rights after release.  Worst of all, health policies are often constructed so that users are often the first to be struck with the deadly HIV virus, but the last to receive the treatment, care and support that others take for granted. 

Drug war politics leads directly to death and disenfranchisement for millions of people around the world, all in punishment for the simple act of putting a chemical into their body.  For these reasons and more, drug users need to take ownership of the politics that affect them.  From working to establish accessible healthcare and harm reduction services, to organizing direct action to protest unjust policies, strong community organizing efforts are desperately needed as a foundation on which to build positive change.  Even what seem to be the smallest acts can have powerful results – simply offering peer support at the local level can have a profound impact on peoples lives and counteract the anti-drug-user attitudes propagated by governments.

The International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD) of the Open Society Institute has been fortunate to work with Landelijk Steunpunt Druggebruikers during the last few years on a program to support the development of drug user activism in Central and Eastern Europe.  The work of many of the user groups that have appeared – in Russia, Lithuania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and many other countries – have already changed the face of harm reduction and HIV/AIDS programs in the region.  By being public about who they are, drug user activists have shown themselves to be intelligent, dedicated, and valuable members of society who cannot be ignored. 

There is of course still a huge amount of work to be done.  IHRD is pleased to have contributed to the development of this manual, and hopes that it will be a useful, practical tool in support of both new and experienced user activists from around Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.  

Matt Curtis

International Harm Reduction Development Program

Open Society Institute

New York City

Introduction

This manual is the result of the Dutch National Interest Group of Drug Users working in close conjunction with the International Harm Reduction Development Program to organize the promotion of the interests of drug users in Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent States. As in many other places in the world, drug users are viewed there as criminals who should be prosecuted. And it is in precisely that part of Europe that the AIDS epidemic is the most severe, especially in Russia and the Ukraine. Assistance is often scarce and inadequate.

Under these circumstances, in recent years drug users have been doing their own organizing more than ever. This manual gives a wide readership access to the knowledge and experience they have acquired. We hope it can support the various steps being taken and stimulate drug users to make an effort to promote their own interests. The manual is an important tool in the battle for equal treatment of drug users: knowledge is power.

The manual is the product of the efforts and help of all the people in the region who work towards this aim. We are particularly grateful for the efforts of Natalja from the Open Space organization of drug users in Odessa, Vitalic and Denis of the Kolodets organization of drug users in Moscow, and the representatives of the Hope01 organization of drug users in Sofia.

We would also like to thank the Open Society Institute’s International Harm Reduction Development Program for its funding and the confidence it put in the Dutch National Interest Group of Drug Users.                                        

Get organized!

Daan van der Gouwe,

Landelijk Steunpunt Druggebruikers (LSD)/

Dutch National Interest Group of Drug Users

Contents

Introduction
    Background 
    Manual
    Activities
    Reading the manual

Part 1  Mission, vision and aims
    Mission
    Vision
    Aims
    Sub-aims
    Tips

Part 2  Founding an organization
    Registration
    Organizational structure
    Hard core
    Management responsibilities

Part 3  Continuity
    The target group
        Public relations
        The message
        Making contact
        Media
    Cooperation and support 
        Pitfalls
        Professional support
    Funding
        Various sources
        Potential funding
        Initial introduction
    Maintaining contact