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 International Drug Users Day 2000
November 1, 2000
By Theo Van Dam
Introduction
About 400 people, mainly drug users, attended the 5th Users Day, which - for the second time - was referred to as International Drug Users Day. About 200 drug users from the Netherlands, and over 100 users from Belgium, France,  Spain, Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Russia, the USA, and Australia were present.
Conspicuous by his absence was a representative from Macedonia, whom the local Dutch Embassy had refused a visa to enter the Netherlands for attending such a meeting. In addition to the large group of drug users, another, smaller group of almost hundred drug workers and policy-makers from the various countries attended the IDUD2000.
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The daytime portion was dominated by workshops on subjects relevant to drug users. This was followed, like each year, by the presentation of the 'Dr. Alderwright Award' to the organizations or initiative voted the most effective and helpful organizations of the past year. Furthermore, the LSD publication 'Recht op Roes', and a summarized version in English (Right to Use) were presented to Tjibbe Reitsma, chairman of the LSD committee, and Pat O'Hare, executive director of the IHRA, (International Harm Reduction Association) respectively.
A specially published English version of LSD News was offered to all
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participants and the day concluded with food, drink, and music.
A summary of the main events of the International Users Day 2000, held on November 1 in Zaandam, follows:
Plenary session
The LSD had hoped for, and worked on holding a plenary discussion with a few members of the European Parliament and a number of interest group activists from the various countries. Unfortunately the EURO-MPs did not accept the invitation but this small setback did not mean that the session was called off:
Is there a need for an international user organizations?
Fabrice...
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