Release is the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law – providing free and confidential specialist advice to the public and professionals. Release also campaigns for changes to UK drug policy to bring about a fairer and more compassionate legal framework to manage drug use in our society.

Release believes that the present regime for the regulation of drugs will be regarded by future generations as one of the great policy disasters of the modern period. These arrangements result in far too many abuses of human rights, fail to protect individual and public health, erode respect for the law, undermine democracy and generate corruption. The War on Drugs is in fact a recipe for a society at war with itself, and this is what we find when we examine the state of global drug control.

Release provides a national advice telephone helpline. Advice is provided in relation to drugs and the law. The helpline is open from 11am—1pm & 2pm—4pm Monday to Friday. A message service is available 24 hours and we will return your call within one business day. All our services are confidential; when calling you do not have to provide any personal details.

Release operates a number of legal surgeries at drug treatment centres throughout London. The purpose of this scheme is to provide legal advice and assistance to drug users who access these programmes; the advice can range from welfare issues to housing law including homelessness through to matters involving debt.

Currently we provide this service to Westminster Drug Project in Westbourne Park, the Caravan Project at Praed Street, Drugs Advisory Service Haringey (DASH), the Elizabeth Fry Centre Hackney and Brent Addaction.