#HeartNotHarm

For Immediate Release Contact: Gretchen Burns Bergman

In honor of Mother’s Day, Moms United to End the War on Drugs
is Re-Launching Our “Heart not Harm” Drug Policy Campaign

In May 2026 Moms United to End the War on Drugs (U.S.) with partners Moms Stop the Harm (Canada), Families Campaign for Change #COMPASSIONATE DRUG REFORM (Scotland), Recovering Justice (UK), Equal Health & Rights Access Advocacy Initiative (Nigeria) and Red de Enlaces Nacionales (Mexico) are re-launching our annual #momsunited campaign (What Moms around the World Want for Mother’s Day). Mothers are losing children to mass incarceration, drug war violence, and accidental overdose across borders due to the failed global war on drugs. We are urging people to listen to our stories and to understand the need for a compassionate and tolerant approach to drug use and substance use disorders.

Mother’s Day falls on different dates in various countries: May 10 for Mexico, Canada and the US. Partners in the UK and Nigeria celebrated mothers on March 15. When we look at history, this celebration is also one of maternal strength and action. Mother’s Day started in North America as a response to the carnage and deaths from the Civil War. Mothers came together to protest the futility of their Sons killing the Sons of other Mothers. Today mothers are again protesting the destruction of the global war on drugs. Our Mother’s Day campaign includes a video, which is translated into Spanish with 8 actions that will produce positive outcomes in saving the lives and liberties of our children: https://youtu.be/cFL05sr3wNo

This year we are also amplifying our “Heart not Harm” campaign, with mother’s stories of drug war casualties demonstrating society’s failed response to substance use, as well as a video promoting alternative strategies that reduce harm. Hysteria around synthetic drugs have unfortunately enabled a return to drug war tactics, including increased sentencing enhancements and drug induced homicide laws. Mothers are steadfast in opposing punitive prohibitionist approaches, and calling for a compassionate, reasoned, and tolerant response.

“Heart not Harm” alternatives to criminalization and retribution: https://www.momsunited.net/heartnotharm

· Build a safer world for our loved ones regardless of their choices.

· Parents today deserve honest drug education for our youth.

· Families must have access to a full range of harm reduction services.

· Demand a massive investment in a care infrastructure that supports people.

· Retribution and punishment do not save lives or heal families.

· Harm reduction reduces stigma, saves lives, and restores dignity.

Moms United to End the War on Drugs is a global collaborative campaign that works to end the violence, mass incarceration, and overdose deaths that are a result of current punitive drug policies. Moms United is a project of A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing), a 26-year-old nonprofit organization that works to reduce the stigma associated with addictive illness through education and compassionate support, and to advocate for therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies.

For information:

Moms United to End the War on Drugs (U.S.) www.momsunited.net; Instagram: @anewpath99

Moms Stop the Harm (Canada): www.momsstoptheharm.com

Red de Enlaces Nacionales (Mexico): https://reverdeser.wordpress.com/tag/red-de-enlaces-nacionales/

Recovery Justice (UK): https://www.recoveringjustice.org.uk/

Families Campaign for Change (UK): https://uk.linkedin.com/in/families-campaign-for-change-225133358

Equal Health and Rights Access Advocacy Initiative: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehraaiinitiative-353153161/

For interviews contact: Gretchen Burns Bergman, Lead Organizer Moms United at 619-884-3561 (cell)