The Lost War

“The Lost War” was first showcased at the Amsterdam conference ‘Dealing with Drugs.’ This exhibition features the work of three photographers, providing a poignant depiction of the international drug trade and the impact of the “war on drugs” on individuals and communities.

Philippines, Netherlands and Colombia

“The Lost War” combines photos from three seemingly very different countries:

Philippines: President Duterte’s brutal policy has led to the murder of at least 6,000 drug users, though the actual number is likely much higher. Raffy Lerma’s photos show the impact of this policy on people’s lives, capturing sorrow, despair, anger, and immense pain.

Netherlands: The production of MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy pills, causes environmental damage, corruption, and crime. Stan Heerkens documents the situation in Brabant.

Colombia: A long-time producer of cocaine, Colombia sees its coca farmers exploited. The cocaine production process is highly chemical, and the profits made further along the supply chain are enormous.

New Times?

The stories from people in three vastly different parts of the world, all deeply affected by the international drug problem, highlight the urgent need for a shift in our way of thinking about drugs.

After the Dealing with Drugs conference, “The Lost War” was also displayed at an event in Delft.

Interested in hosting this exhibition? Contact us atinfo@poppi.amsterdam.