A MUM who lost her son to an accidental drug overdose is holding an event in Bromsgrove as part of her bid to ensure no other parent will have to go through the same thing.
After the tragedy of losing her son George in 2016, Alison Bedford-Russell is calling for legal control and regulation of the drug market.
She is hosting a community event at 6pm on Thursday, April 16, at Burcot Village Hall. There, residents can voice their concerns and explore new approaches to drug policy.
Alison has joined forces with Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas to host the event which aims to address growing worries about drug use and related crime in the community.
People will be invited to share their experiences and engage in an open conversation about alternative policy solutions for the area.
Alison said: “I am organising this event as I lost my son George to an accidental overdose in 2016.
“It was a tragedy, and I believe he was failed by a flawed system.
“This event is an opportunity to learn the hard facts about the failure of the UK’s drug laws, which negatively influence mental health and drug services.
“Join us to hear from impacted families and experts in policing and medicine who will share their experience and knowledge around the failures of current policy and what should replace it.”
There will be a striking memorial of 4,899 hand-made forget-me-not flowers for lives lost to drugs in the UK in 2024.
The event will also feature a mock-up overdose prevention centre and information stalls from local drug services.
Alison and Bradley Thomas will speak at the event, as will former undercover police officer Neil Edwards.
Anne-Marie Cockburn, who founded Anyone’s Child after her 15-year-old daughter, Martha, died in 2013 after taking MDMA, will also be attending.
Former Birmingham GP Dr Judith Yates, who is now an international advocate for drug policy reform, will speak, along with Will Bedford-Russell, an actor and writer who wrote a play about the loss of his brother, George, to a heroin overdose.
After the speeches, attendees will be able to ask questions, suggest ideas and sign up to be involved in ongoing community efforts to change the UK’s drug policies.
This event is free to attend but donations are welcome .
Visit: eventbrite.com/e/bromsgrove-take-drugs-seriously-tickets-1981705455363 to register.
