Event Past

Join our mailing list for future events.

Join Drug Policy Australia for a film screening of The United States vs. Billie Holiday at The Astor Theatre in St. Kilda on Support Don’t Punish Day, Saturday 26 June 2021.

This amazing biography delves into the beginning of the criminalisation of people who use drugs in America based on the New York Times Best Selling book, Chasing the Scream by internationally acclaimed writer Johann Hari.

Johann Hari will appear live from London to introduce the movie and talk about the amazing back story of Billie Holiday and her battle with Harry Aslinger, the newly appointed head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He will be talking with Jenny Valentish, a journalist and author of ‘Woman of Substances: A Journey into Addiction and Treatment’, where she explores the unique experiences of women with alcohol and drugs.

After a short intermission, we will show the movie at 8:00 O'clock, which provides a fascinating look at Billie Holiday’s illustrious career as a legendary jazz singer as she battled addiction, racism and was targeted by the FBI through an undercover sting operation in an effort to silence her.

On Saturday, 26th of June, more than 150 cities across the world will take part in the global advocacy campaign ‘Support. Don’t Punish’, calling on governments to enact drug policies that prioritise public health, human rights, and provide greater access to harm reduction interventions.

There will be information tables from Australia's leading Alcohol and Other Drugs NGO's.