Outcry over Amy Winehouse drugs poster

Alongside an image of Amy Winehouse, clearly under the influence of drugs, is a slogan written in French: “No - to the decriminalisation of drugs”. The poster was created by a branch of the Young SVP in Unterwallis, in French-speaking western Switzerland.

Fans of the dead singer have expressed their dismay, calling the campaign tasteless in online forums.

Grégory Logean, president of Young SVP Unterwallis, told Blick newspaper he does not really understand the uproar: “The death of Amy Winehouse put a sad reality before our eyes that other parties often forget - the harmful effects of drug consumption.”

 “It is not our methods which are shocking – it is reality. We are displaying a photo that the whole world already knows,” he said. “Winehouse was known not only for her songs, but above all for her drug excesses.”

Logean compared the Winehouse campaign to the method used in the fight against tobacco smoking, saying that the SVP engages itself against the decriminalisation of drugs clearly in opposition to the position of the Left, which it views as permissive.

The SVP, which is known as the UDC in the French-speaking parts of the country, is already known for its shock campaign tactics – including a black sheep being kicked out of Switzerland, hands grabbing a Swiss passport, and their recent anti-Minaret campaign.

For now the poster exists only online. Next week it will be decided if flyers will be printed.