/R E P E A T -- Media advisory - Photo Opportunity - The Museum of Drug Policy is visiting Montréal as part of the 25th Harm Reduction International Conference/

Museum of drug policy, May 2017 (CNW Group/Open Society Foundations)

MONTRÉAL, May 12, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Open Society Foundations is pleased to invite media representatives to the opening ceremony of the Museum of Drug Policy, an exhibition presented in Montreal from May 15-17, as part of the 25^th Harm Reduction International Conference.

First launched in April 2016 during the U.N. General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem in New York City, the Museum of Drug Policy's travelling exhibition will be making a three-day stop in the city in a "pop-up museum" format. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk through the Museum in a Box structure to view about forty various art pieces from local and international artists that show how drug policies affect and impact our friends, families and communities.

This ephemeral cultural hub provides a powerful, emotional experience that illustrates the harms caused by current prohibitionist drug policies and advocates for new approaches rooted in dignity, health, and human rights.

Art and culture is an alternative way to convey messages of reform in the effort to advance more progressive policies. This free public event will move audiences across the globe and push visitors to think and act outside the box.

The Museum of Drug Policy will showcase artwork by contemporary artists, including Tracy Hetzel, watercolor illustrator of the "The Execution Series" portraits, which presents five individuals who have been executed after being convicted of drug offenses; Ann Lewis, a multidisciplinary activist artist also known as Gilf!, who will exhibit a unique participatory art piece on the victims of Canada's ongoing opioid crisis; as well as two portraits from the series "At last… rest" that Zefrey Throwell has created from the ashes of his deceased father, Douglas Throwell, which still contain traces of methamphetamine, thereby representing a deeply personal memorial, as well as an account of this drug's lethal effects.

WHAT:	Museum of Drug Policy Photo and Interview Opportunity
WHEN:	A private guided tour of the exhibit will start at 3 pm, on Sunday, May 14, 2017 , followed by the Opening Ceremony, at 7 pm The Museum is free to the public from May 15-17, 2017, from 4-8 pm
WHO:	Daniel Wolfe, Director of International Harm Reduction Development (IHRD) at the Public Health Program of the Open Society Foundations Michael Skolnik, CEO of The Soze Agency Members of MUMSDU, a coalition of Canadian parents who have lost a child to a drug overdose and other drug related harms, will testify to their experience
	Performances by:
	Abeille Gélinas, special guest DJ Imani Uzuri, Vocalist and composer Lemon Andersen, Tony Award-winning poet
WHERE:	Centre Mont-Royal 2200 Mansfield Street Montréal (Québec) H3A 3R8 Interactive map

About the Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Working with local communities in more than 100 countries, the Open Society Foundations support justice and human rights, freedom of expression, and access to public health and education. www.opensocietyfoundations.org / museumofdrugpolicy.org

SOURCE Open Society Foundations

To confirm your attendance, or for any questions regarding the event, please contact: Mathilde Condrain-Morel / Mélissa Lapierre-Grano, Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations, O: 514 842-2455 ext. 21 / 31, C: 438 883-1077 / 514 754-5521, [email protected] / [email protected]