Breaking the silences and delving deeper into the culture of avoidance
Breaking the silences and delving deeper into the culture of avoidance within the psychedelics community regarding allegations against Ben Sessa.
““The idea of ‘giving the drug war more arguments to exist’ is a common retort in the psychedelics world used to shut down people who speak about abuses.””
This quote hits home, highlighting how discussions about misconduct and abuses are often met with dismissal or defensiveness.
It’s crucial for leaders and our community members to recognise that addressing these issues head-on doesn’t tarnish the reputation of psychedelics but rather strengthens our commitment to ethical practice and accountability.
Despite the gravity of the allegations against Sessa, there’s a concerning lack of acknowledgment and dialogue within the psychedelic medicine establishment. It’s as if those in positions of authority and those who have worked alongside him are collectively turning a blind eye to issues of misconduct and abuse of power. But staying silent only perpetuates harm and erodes trust.
This is not the first time allegations of misconduct have been made in the above-ground realms of psychedelic medicine. Some of those against whom allegations have been made, though not necessarily formally confirmed, continue to hold positions of authority with prominent organisations.
At least in the case of regulated healthcare practitioners, there are systems in place for complaints to be made and investigations undertaken with public findings released and consequences implemented. That is generally not the case in the underground scene unless the conduct was criminal in nature. Even where criminal behaviour is evident in the underground, there are barriers to victims speaking out and finding justice. These include stigma, fear of dismissal by authorities, fear of admissions of participation in illegal activity and fear of ostracism from peers and the community which is a particularly concerning idea that results from the cult-like following some figures in the underground scene garner.
As more people seek to access psychedelics for a range of reasons both above ground in medical settings and in the underground, we must challenge this culture of avoidance and demand transparency and accountability from all individuals and institutions involved in psychedelics regardless of the setting. We feel strongly that decriminalisation or ideally legalisation and regulation founded in community consultation would go a long way to ensuring the safety of those who use psychedelics. It would allow for systems of accountability to be developed.
We can’t afford to sweep these issues under the rug any longer.
