Release, founded in 1967 by

Caroline Coon Caroline Coon (born 1945) is an English artist, journalist and political activist. Her artwork often explores sexual themes from a feminist standpoint. Coon had her first solo painting exhibition at The Gallery Liverpool entitled "Caroline Coon: ...

and Rufus Harris (died 2007), is a UK agency that provides legal advice and arranges legal representation for people charged with the possession of drugs. Release is now the oldest independent drugs charity in the world and continues to provide a range of services dedicated to meeting the health, welfare and legal needs of drugs users and those who live and work with them.

History

Founded in 1967, the aim of Release was to provide bail services to people arrested for drugs offences and to refer them to solicitors. A 24-hour telephone help line was set up and run by volunteers. Coon was the fundraiser and spokesperson for the organisation and Harris was the administrator. By the end of 1967 Release was based in an office at 50 Princedale Road, Holland Park. In its first two years, Release handled more than 2,000 cases. High-profile clients included

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

and George Harrison, who donated £5,000 in 1969. In 1969 Harris and Coon summarised their early work in ''The Release Report on Drug Offenders and the Law'', published by

Sphere Books Sphere Books is the name of two British paperback publishers. History The original Sphere Books was launched in 1966 by Thomson Corporation. Sphere was sold to Pearson PLC in 1985 and became part of Penguin. The name was retired in 1990. In 19 ...

. Release gained charitable status in 1972, following a review of its activities by the Rowntree Foundation. By the mid-1970s, Release was supported directly by a Home Office grant, without compromising its libertarian principles. In the 1970s, its office (1 Elgin Evenue, London W9) as a holding address for PIE, a paedophile activist group; this was ended when

Christian Wolmar Christian Tage Forter Wolmar (born 3 August 1949) is a British journalist, author, railway historian and Labour Party politician.advertising campaign An advertising campaign is a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and theme which make up an integrated marketing communication (IMC). An IMC is a platform in which a group of people can group their ideas, beliefs, and conc ...

entitled "Nice People Take Drugs" in 2009, but it was pulled a few days later, amidst claims of censorship by the advertising regulators. Release remains the UK's only dedicated free legal and drugs advice service, offering a

helpline A helpline, or switchboard, is a telephone service which offers help to those who call. Many helpline services now offer more than telephone support - offering access to information, advice or customer service via telephone, email, web or SMS. ...

for drug users and their families. Specialists offer advice both to the drugs industry and the general public. It continues to advocate treatment over punishment for drug users. Release has a long history of association with the heart of London and has been based in various premises around

Old Street Old Street is a street in inner north-east Central London that runs west to east from Goswell Road in Clerkenwell, in the London Borough of Islington, via St Luke's and Old Street Roundabout, to the crossroads where it meets Shoreditch High ...

since the 1980s.

References

External links

*
Catalogue of the Release archives
held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick
LIFE Magazine, 22 Aug 1969 'This Is an Underground with Office Hours'An article in International Times, 8 March 1968, by Mary FinniganTalking Drugs
a site sponsored by Release {{DEFAULTSORT:Release (Agency) Drug policy organizations Law firms of the United Kingdom Law firms established in 1967 Drug control law in the United Kingdom Information centres Counterculture festivals activists 1967 establishments in the United Kingdom