Public hearing on drug legalisation slammed by parent groups.

Speaking from the European Parliament in Brussels today, members of European Associations who are committed to fighting drugs expressed their alarm that the Parliament was being used by pro drug activists seeking to legalise drugs.

They questioned the motives of international groups who were receiving massive financial support from George Soros. Mr Soros they pointed out was convicted of insider trading recently by the French Government.

This group promoting drug legalisation have taken the name Forward Thinking on Drugs and it is their stated intention to intervene at the UN Special Review Hearing in Vienna next April to propose that the UN scrap all International Conventions on Narcotics. Then according to Mr Soros they can control the drug market. The former Head of the EDMCDDA in Lisbon, Mr Mike Trace was forced to resign as Head of the Demand Reduction Programme at The UN earlier this month when his compliance with this Group was exposed.

EURAD asks the question. WHY? Because if drugs were legalised then the consequences for society would be even greater than the proposed war on Iraq. Because, then they would reach more countries and destroy the lives of our most vulnerable citizens. The young and the disenfranchised. It would be a silent war and would not attract the attention of the media in the same way as war on Iraq. Nevertheless, Forward thinking on Drugs are proposing to annihilate society through chemical warfare.

"They are using the facilities of the European Parliament with the collusion of certain MEP's to gain respectability for their dubious cause." stated EURAD's President Grainne Kenny from Ireland.

EURAD and their partners intend to lodge a formal complaint to the Parliament President, Mr Pat Cox to stop the taxpayers facilities being used for such questionable purposes. EURAD members, together with their partners are collecting 1m signatures from accross the world to present to the UN in Vienna next April against drug legalisation. Details to be found on www.eurad.net.

Last week, Mr Philip Emafo, President of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme stated that "Governments should not be intimidated by a vocal minority that wants to legalise illicit drug use."

Further information contact:

Grainne Kenny +353 86 2345245