New challenges inspire creative solutions: Support. Don’t Punish Global Day of Action 2025

Support. Don’t Punish is a global, decentralised and grassroots-centred campaign that mobilises communities targeted by and resisting repressive drug policies. Under a common banner, we promote harm reduction and drug policies that prioritise health, human rights and well-being. This campaign reflects the growing movement against the ‘war on drugs’. We seek to raise the profile of harm reduction, decriminalisation and sustainable responses to drugs by strengthening communities’ organising capacity, opening dialogue with policy-makers, and raising awareness among the media and the public. Each year, campaign members unite for a Global Day of Action, advancing local action in transnational solidarity to bring about positive change.

Introduction

The 2025 Global Day of Action mobilised thousands of people across more than 80 countries for a timely demonstration of support for humane drug policy. Despite taking place under extraordinarily challenging conditions – including an unprecedented rollback of public funding and civic space – campaign members organised on an extraordinary scale through a diverse range of local actions. From facilitating access to harm reduction services to mural art, theatre performances, sports events, and policy dialogues, these actions showcase the resilience of our communities and the continued relevance of our message. Punitive drug policies are a net-negative approach, boosting criminalised economies and threatening the safety and well-being of our people. With hundreds of local partners in 262 cities, the Day of Action demonstrates the strength of grassroots leadership in resisting punitiveness and paving the way for better responses. Given evolving turbulence at the national and international levels, community organising is, now more than ever, a vital mechanism for catalysing change and asserting public need. 

We are a diverse and united movement. In 2025, the Support. Don’t Punish campaign spearheaded new resources and toolkits for campaign members to support the operationalisation of key messages and UN standards, as well as a Leadership Network to inform campaign strategy. Our dual framework enables community-level action that reflects local issues and promotes democratic accountability, while maintaining a shared call for human rights, health, and well-being – empowering community voices and disrupting traditional structures of power in drug governance. Looking ahead, the campaign remains a reputable, powerful vehicle for advancing rights-based approaches to drugs. Capitalising on the momentum of this year’s Day of Action, the Support. Don’t Punish campaign aims to increase its presence in international dialogue through year-round campaigning. To stay engaged and amplify our collective voice, follow the Support. Don’t Punish campaign on social media and visit our website for updates, resources, and upcoming actions.