Updates
The following three updates have been made in addition to the original relaunch notice which appears further below.
These updates have been provided in response to post relaunch questions and criticisms that were raised with regards to the restoration of W-BAD’s original purpose, leadership and values, as well as to address third party misrepresentations.
Update 1 (8 July 2022)
(PDF) Response Re: Leadership, Values and Michelle’s Connection to W-BAD
Update 2 (6 August 2022)
(PDF) Due Care Required Re: Undermining
Update 3 (20 August 2022)
A page for W-BAD appearing on National Today contains damaging errors and misrepresentations including the recommending of substitutes for benzodiazepines in the form of SSRIs and others (Under no circumstances does W-BAD ever recommend any substitutes).
There are many references to mental health, suggesting that only a small part of society is affected, when in fact these drugs are being widely prescribed to ordinary everyday people for everyday life stress, sleep difficulties and many off-label minor ailments.
It also suggests that the severe nature of the withdrawal symptoms is due to poor management of the symptoms as if to shift accountability onto unsuspecting patients and detract from the lethal nature of the drugs themselves.
While the author remains unknown, and National Today has failed to respond to amendment requests, please do not in any way associate this illegitimate content with W-BAD.
Original Relaunch Notice
Prepared by: Wayne Douglas, W-BAD Founder
Date: 22 May 2022
With the late Prof. Heather Ashton (our angel of the north) and the late Michelle Goulevitch (our angel of the south) watching over, I am pleased to announce the relaunch of World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day (W-BAD).
While faced with many difficulties, there is now hope for this global initiative moving forward with considerable restoration, restructuring, rehumanising, and developmental efforts having taken place, making it closer to the W-BAD ethos than ever before.
Download PDF / continue reading below
1. The Situation
For those who may be unaware, W-BAD has been subjected to extensive internal subversion, resulting in significant damages. Fortunately backups were available, which has allowed for relaunching of the platform.
Although resurrected from total collapse, W-BAD is currently managed by a single individual who is scraping by on the breadline, often borderline homeless with “nothing” in the true sense of the word.
For reasons outlined in Section 9 (Reason for Relaunch) and Section 14 (Outcome) below, and with operational capacity limited to a bare minimum, there are limited plans for W-BAD in 2022 or 2023.
Subsequently, apart from basic participation, the main event for W-BAD in 2022 will likely have been its resurrection, recovery, and ongoing developmental efforts to better facilitate the true W-BAD ethos.
There has been a lot of restructuring with many new additions linking from the front page to better highlight W-BAD’s identity and functionality. A lot of the content has been tidied up, rearranged and updated. The team, which is unquestionably the life-force of W-BAD, has also been restored.
With the added hurdle of website restructuring costs, this revamping has entailed an enormous effort under exceedingly difficult circumstances for nearly two years and counting.
In addition to the above efforts, another highlight to look forward to in 2022 is the release of the film, As Prescribed, which W-BAD features in (see the As Prescribed Facebook page for details).
Being in a sink or swim situation, I now need to turn my attention back to my own recovery efforts from severe life damages. Even so, gradual improvements and changes will continue to be made to the W-BAD website in an ongoing effort to further improve the platform, which people are welcome to freely explore.
The good news is that W-BAD lives on with all the materials now available for people to access.
2. The New Platform
Media addresses for the new W-BAD platform are as follows.
Website: worldbenzoday.org
Hashtag: #WORLDBENZODAY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldBenzoAwarenessDay
@WorldBenzoAwarenessDay
Gmail: worldbenzodayinfo@gmail
3. The Former Platform / Facebook and YouTube
The YouTube Channel that houses all the W-BAD’s videos that so many people contributed to for the purpose of providing sufferers with a voice, together with the W-BAD explainer video (with multiple subtitle contributions in around ten languages), the previous Facebook page with its rich history and content, and the previous website domain with its established internet connections and networks formed over many years have all been subjected to internal subversion.
Please be aware that the addresses below are associated with the former platform.
Gmail: worldbenzoday@gmail / worldbenzoawarenessday@gmail.com
Website: https://w-bad.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/World-Benzo-Awareness-Day-July-11th-855279667933353/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNEGYpppRPuaKg1uuSJHAbg/videos
Back in May 2019, while finding myself in a vulnerable and dire situation, after having given my all to the establishing of W-BAD, I reluctantly entrusted the platform in an act of good faith, feeling that it was in the best interests of W-BAD at the time.
Given the largescale dismantling, dehumanisation and removal of functionality from the platform that ensued, together with pleas from respected members of the community, I submitted a request for basic requirements to be met which went unanswered. This eventually necessitated a public call. This too went unanswered, followed by the ultimate abandonment and decommissioning of W-BAD in July 2021.
I then invited those entrusted to exercise the same level of selflessness and consideration in doing what is best for this global initiative by returning the above media. Again, this went without answer, resulting in the former platform having become locked up outside of the real W-BAD’s control.
4. The W-BAD Domain & The Film As Prescribed
W-BAD features in the soon to be released film As Prescribed. While this presents as a unique opportunity to take our plight to the world, the URL shared in the movie is our presently subverted w-bad.org domain.
The return of this domain would allow for appropriate accommodations to be made. With negotiations having been rendered implausible (see reasons outlined in Sections 9 and 14 below), the current unwillingness to return the domain will inevitably result in a potentially large global audience being directed to an invalid link – the impact of which coming at the expense of the overall global cause – that is all of us. To be clear, it will significantly limit the degree to which our voices will be heard.
5. Functionality
Due to the aforementioned, people will notice that many of the embedded videos are no longer available and there may be broken links with some directing to the old w-bad.org domain. Although most have been redirected to the new domain, in such cases, you can simply swap out the prefix of the URL to access the page you are seeking.
For example:
w-bad.org/about/
↓
worldbenzoday.org/about/
These and other issues will gradually be rectified over time.
6. Facebook Likes and Shares
With the unavailability of the old Facebook page, which was originally created by Meredith Fiore and had around 3,500 likes and followers, the real W-BAD has now set up under a new Facebook page, meaning that we are starting afresh with reestablishing our supporters, likes and shares.
While currently limited in operational capacity, this new page has significant sentimental value, as creating this page was one of the last things that the late Michelle Goulevitch did for World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day – a new Facebook page that carries her spirit and sense of goodwill. Therefore, I would like to ask that people please like and share while inviting your friends to do the same.
7. Communications
With current operational capacity at a minimum, please understand that communications are to be limited to simple inquiries and/or offers of help that can benefit W-BAD in a positive way.
8. W-BAD 2022
As above, W-BAD 2022 will be limited to basic participation only. While current operational capacity remains limited, the W-BAD Global Reps and the W-BAD US State Reps, as well as individuals and supporters alike, are encouraged to go ahead and plan activities (see Participation Page) as usual and to forward any photos or videos (already edited ready for uploading) by email together with brief explanations (i.e. simple 4ws: what, when, where, who) for posting on July 11. With limited capacity, the main highlight for W-BAD in 2022 will undoubtedly be its very resurrection together with the As Prescribed film release.
9. Reason for Relaunch
Following W-BAD 2020, several respected members of the community approached me expressing concerns about the largescale dismantling, dehumanisation and removal of functionality from the platform, asking if I could do something to help improve the situation.
Living on a razor edge, while residing in Japan (largely without choice), I was reluctant at first, but felt compelled to act. So in August 2020, I submitted a reform proposal before eighteen witnesses to the then board, asking that basic requirements be fulfilled.
While sitting on a stacked board, this genuine request for the betterment of W-BAD was met with a motion that resulted in my removal from operations and essentially from W-BAD itself – the very global initiative that, as founder, I had established for the people in Prof. Ashton’ honour.
Having exhausted all options, including many efforts over several years prior, there was no alternative left other than to publicly denounce the board. This was a last resort move.
With the backing of Sir John Ashton (son of the late Prof. Heather Ashton whose name W-BAD commemorates), I spent every weekend and every available minute of every other day over the year that followed preparing The W-BAD Report (47 pages) and appendices (25 pages) together with The W-BAD Chronicle: a detailed record of facts upon which the report was based (1,227 pages) along with a set of about 10 accompanying documents, a video and a public poll. After many delays due to the share workload, and with the inability to postpone any further, this initiative to liberate W-BAD was actioned on 4 July 2021.
Over the week that followed, while negotiations were set to proceed, in addition to the content that had been removed already, those who were entrusted with the platform continued to strip away large amounts of material from the W-BAD website.
The YouTube channel with its large number of subscribers was totally decommissioned and around 2,300 likes and 2,000 followers were erased from the W-BAD Facebook Page, before it too was decommissioned. This, together with the subsequent stigmatisation of the platform, left it with no value and no reason to negotiate.
The backing away from negotiations, however, may have been a blessing in disguise. Indeed, negotiating under such circumstances would have only served to undermine the truth – something that should never be facilitated.
The only thing of any real value remaining now is the internet domain (w-bad.org). However, I am unwilling to jeopardise myself, W-BAD or anyone who may become associated with W-BAD either now or in the future by entering negotiations in the absence of good faith – an absence that has repeated over several years.
While my public call to revive W-BAD was for the sole purpose of requesting that basic requirements be met to allow the platform to function for the people, those entrusted instead chose to inflict further damages negating any potential basis for negotiations before decommissioning the entire platform, effectively holding the ability to revive W-BAD to ransom with the biggest impact coming at the expense of the wider global cause.
It must be noted that the decommissioning and subversion of W-BAD was carried out without any apparent regard for the significant amount of work that so many people have contributed over the years, the hope, materials and voice it provides, the fact that it features in the soon to be released film, As Prescribed, the positive impact it has had, or the fact that it carries Prof. Ashton’s honour.
It’s only fortunate that I had kept a backup of almost everything, including the videos, otherwise the accumulated assets of the platform, and indeed W-BAD itself, would now be lost forever.
10. Prior Issues
As outlined in The W-BAD Report and The W-BAD Chronicle, the platform had already been subjected to an insidious undermining over several years prior to implementing the aforementioned last-resort effort to resurrect W-BAD.
11. Prior Content Removal
In addition to the general undermining, there had been a large amount of content removed from the website prior to the above effort to have W-BAD resurrected, the magnitude of which can be viewed in this PDF, titled Removed Content, while noting that there was likely more.
12. Identifying Underlying Dynamics
Sharing a strong sense of community, together with her incredible insight and vast knowledge, Michelle Goulevitch, who was well-versed on the topic, helped to identify the dynamics that had been undermining the W-BAD platform.
These included DARVO type practices among others, and she helped to provide perspective on how these had been insidiously affecting the W-BAD environment over time.
As I set about having this global initiative that carries the late Professor Heather Ashton’s honour resurrected for the people, every effort was made to maximise harmony and integrity within the wider groups, something she strongly believed in.
After succumbing to her own iatrogenic (medically induced) drug injuries, Michelle sadly passed on 19 August 2021, leaving behind a legacy for all those she has touched with her generosity of spirit, integrity and compassion.
Michelle Goulevitch is now recognized as an honorary member of W-BAD in memoriam, alongside Prof. Heather Ashton, for her invaluable contributions in helping to make the resurrection of W-BAD possible. This recognition extends to Michelle’s wider volunteer work, her spirit endlessly shining through, as she continued to help so many others amidst her own suffering.
13. Questions and Concerns Raised
Following the above effort to have the W-BAD platform resurrected, questions were raised with regards to the need, the extent and the approach that was taken. My answers to these concerns can be viewed in this PDF, titled Responding to Concerns Raised.
14. Outcome
While abandonment of the platform by those who were entrusted was listed in The W-BAD Chronicle as a possible outcome, at no time was there any request on my part to be reinstated or for relinquishment – indeed I am in no position to shoulder the platform any more than I have already.
It was additionally stated that in such an event, W-BAD would likely have to sit idle for a time due to the desperate need to tend to my own personal rescue first, realising the importance of learning from past experiences, when I found myself totally alone, under attack and sinking.
Having said that, I could not turn my back on the platform, and I have since fronted with an extraordinary effort under extraordinary circumstances to revive it.
Following the public call, those responsible for the damages requested that The W-BAD Report and The W-BAD Chronicle be taken down. For the sake of peace keeping and moving forward, I removed these and associated documents within a week, even while the W-BAD platform was still being subjected to crippling damages.
After things had come to a head, a general understanding was reached whereby those involved were given an assurance that the best way they can avoid another encounter with the truth (contained in The W-BAD Report and The W-BAD Chronicle) that bears such pain is to avoid any further challenges to the truth itself, avoid any contesting of W-BAD properties and cease any rumours and personal attacks on W-BAD, me and anyone else who is associated with the platform or may become associated with the platform at any time in the future.
It was additionally made clear that as long as the original platform continues to be held and locked up under their control, if it is ever relaunched while the real W-BAD is forced to operate under alternative media, this will be considered an intrusion and met with a similar response to that seen on 4th July 2021.
Based on recent history, it has since proven necessary for some form of record to stand in order to avoid the narrative being rewritten and prevent events from being reframed insidiously over time at the expense of the truth and integrity.
One of the very last things Michelle shared with me was that people who engage in DARVO type practices can be extremely vindictive in nature, which is another reason why the level of detail in this relaunch notice, together with the attachments in the Further Reading Section below, have proven necessary, as there can be no room left for potential misunderstandings or any room left for possible manipulations that could undermine W-BAD again in the future.
15. Further Reading
The first two items below are the final two documents submitted on 24 July 2021 before the eighteen witnesses, which show how the issue regarding the largescale dismantling, dehumanisation and removal of functionality from the W-BAD platform came to a close. These may help clarify any lingering concerns while limiting the potential for any misguided conclusions.
16. Limitations
Please note that while there may be requests for content amendments on the new worldbenzoday.org website, nothing further can be done until such time that I have stabilized my own situation.
Prolonged damages from the wrongly prescribed BZ ordeal, the deliberate injustices of the Japanese courts, displacement by the Fukushima disaster, the effort to firstly establish W-BAD, and then later resurrect and rebuild it – all while living on a razor’s edge in another country has all taken its toll – both health-wise and financially with increasing debt and zero assets or savings.
17. Approach
While wholeheartedly wishing there was an easier way, the steadfast approach taken in this relaunch notice may come across as uncompromising – an approach proven necessary based on recent history. People have a right to know what happened to their hard work, contributions and associated resources accumulated of several years, and indeed, W-BAD (the people’s day) needs to be protected by the truth as we look to move forward – the truth itself should never be subverted – indeed, it is the very foundation of W-BAD.
18. Unity and W-BAD Guiding Principles
When I established W-BAD, I based the concept on unity, hence the reason why I created the slogan, “Change through Unity.” I rigorously upheld this principle to the point of my own demise and ousting as founder from the very initiative that I established.
After entrusting the W-BAD platform, this and other W-BAD principles were compromised leading to riffs, divisions, diversions and a culture characterised by exclusiveness and control.
With the real W-BAD having been liberated, it is important that we now move towards restoring the real W-BAD’s Guiding Principles including the need to unify once again, as we stand together in solidarity looking to take our message to the world for the sake of creating positive change.
19. My Commitment to W-BAD
During my effort to have W-BAD resurrected, the degree to which I have contributed to the platform over the years was brought into question. To help clarify any possible concerns, people are invited to view “My Commitment to W-BAD” at the bottom of my profile page.
20. Special Thanks
Special thanks goes out to W-BAD’s technical advisor, John Koons, for his invaluable contributions to the restoration and development of the website, as well as to the late Michelle Goulevitch, who is now an honorary member in memoriam alongside Prof. Heather Ashton, without whose help the resurrection of W-BAD would never have been possible. Tremendous thanks also to Sir John Ashton for his continued support. Finally, a great deal of gratitude goes out to the W-BAD Team, including the W-BAD Global Reps and W-BAD State Reps, as well as to the many supporters for your amazing efforts over the years – thank you all!
21. Moving Forward
Despite the difficulties, continued efforts are being made towards furthering the development, humanisation and functionality of the W-BAD platform. While realising there is a desperate need for support in growing this global initiative, it is going to be a gradual process over time. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Yours in Good Faith,
Wayne Douglas
W-BAD Founder, Organiser
P.S. quote from John Ashton:
You can be proud of the role you have played and continue to play in support of the cause to which Mum devoted so much of her life, not only through your work in Japan (invaluable and pioneering though that has been) but as a champion and exemplar of the rights to truth, justice and compassion of the benzodiazepine community worldwide.
