Ibogaine Community Worldwide User-to-User BrugerForeningen International Drug Users Day (IDUD) 2008 Copenhagen, Denmark 31 October - 3 November 2008 Howard S. Lotsof Dora Weiner Foundation Staten Island, NY

Ibogaine Found in the West African plant Tabernanthe iboga

Iboga alkaloids are concentrated in the bark of the root

Usable forms include scraped or ground root bark

Total Alkaloid extract

Purified Chemical

Regulatory and Scientific Development The first attempt at drug development of ibogaine was by the Dora Weiner Foundation in In 1986, a for-profit corporation, NDA International, Inc. was established and subsequently raised 4 million towards the approval of ibogaine, initiating research and patent development. 1991, National Institute on Drug Abuse ibogaine research project. 1993, FDA approval for University of Miami clinical study.

Ibogaine Patents 1.Rapid method for interrupting the narcotic addiction syndrome, US 4,499,096 (1985) 2.Rapid method for interrupting the cocaine and amphetamine abuse syndrome US 4,587,243 (1986) 3.Rapid method for attenuating the alcohol dependency syndrome, US 4,957,523 (1989) 4.Rapid method for interrupting or attenuating the nicotine/tobacco dependency syndrome, US 5,026,697 (1991) 5.Rapid method for interrupting or attenuating poly- drug dependency syndromes, US 5, 124,994 (1992)

First scientific publication of ibogaine antiaddictive effects

Ibogaine effects on Morphine self-administration (Glick et al. 1991)

Ibogaine effects on Morphine withdrawal (Glick et al. 1992)

Ibogaine effects on cocaine (Cappendijk & Dzoljic. 1993)

Ibogaine effects on alcohol (Rezvani et al. 1995)

Treatment Expectations 1.Interviews For benefit of subject and provider 2.Safety testing EKG, blood tests, echo stress test, psych evaluations 3.Aftercare Depending on desired outcome

Ibogaine: Stages of effect 1.Visualization or waking dream-like experience hours 2.Cognitive evaluation hours 3.Residual stimulation hours

Ibogaine: Side-effects 1.Nausea or vomiting 2.Ataxia

Ibogaine Advantages 1.Ibogaine significantly reduces withdrawal 2. Interrupts drug craving 3.Interrupts drug self-administration 4.Returning patients to a preaddictive state 5.Antibacterial 6.Returns free choice 7.Eliminates stigma

Ibogaine 1)User discovered 2)User developed 3)User supported

Ibogaine Activist Advocacy Organizations Play Role in Ibogaine Development International Coalition for Addict Self-Help (ICASH) 1989 Dutch Addict Self-Help (DASH) 1990 International Addict Self-Help (INTASH) 1992 Cures-Not Wars (ibogaine and other issues) 1994 Ibogaine Underground 2004

ICASH logo Used to attract attention of government officials and media

Nico Adriaans was one of the founders of both the Rotterdam Junkies Union and Dutch Addict Self- Help (DASH). DASH was an ibogaine self-help organization that petitioned the Dutch government and organized drug users to demand ibogaine availability. DASH provided ibogaine at no cost to heroin users.

ICASH Organizing in the US

Cures-Not-Wars placed pressure on NIDA to support Ibogaine research through protests

Mindvox internet ibogaine list (user advocacy continues) “We all got to help each other best we can. No one else gives a shit ‘bout us hippy freak junkies? ” anon. To join send an to

“FM- … We feel that continuing the focus offshore, outside the US, has not served a majority of people inside the US. Like many other grassroots movements, which facilitated change, treatments, sessions, need to be done where they belong, in all major US cities, as cost effectively as possible. “ Ibogaine underground appears 2004

Ibogaine: Question #1 asked by users Will it get rid of withdrawal?

Opioid withdrawal in human subjects Early study shows significant efficacy in 25 out of 33 cases. - Resolution of opioid withdrawal without signs of drug seeking behavior -

Ibogaine & Withdrawal - Early findings ca

1. While ibogaine effects may be generalized, they are also specific to each individual. 2. Each person treated and each experience has unique characteristics that must be observed and responded to uniquely. 3. The administration of ibogaine requires, art, craft and practice as do all human endeavor. Technology Transfer

Ibogaine Prohibition “a growing problem” 1.United States Belgium Switzerland Sweden Denmark France 2007

Why ibogaine should be available 1.Ibogaine significantly reduces opioid withdrawal to heroin, methadone and other narcotics 2. Interrupts drug craving 3.Returns users to a preaddictive state 4.Eliminates stigma 5.Offers freedom of choice

Why does US harm reduction (HRC) support ibogaine and international harm reduction (IHRA) not ? HRC 1.Initially skeptical 2.Observed ibogaine proponents in their system 3.Now supports and refers to treatment IHRA 1.Skeptical 2.No observation of treated persons 3.Education and treatment observations required

The police apparatus and the medical apparatus can be equally oppressive. Users have a right to make drug choices.

Ibogaine advocates are seeking a new generation of activists to allow technology transfer, training and treatment. It is your right to use drugs and your right to stop. We would like to share the technology that allows you to stop or limit use on your terms.

It’s in your hands now! Patient rights - User rights Freedom - Not oppression