Several folks from Phish.Net started an honorable and commendable effort to combat the scourge of bad drugs at Phish shows. This effort, called Inside Out: The Phish Reclamation Project, delayed taking an active stance, flyering concert attendees, due to weather and need for more preparation, but is destined to be a strong and positive influence on the scene.

Here's the flyer which had been prepared for Fall 1997 tour:

A MESSAGE FROM INSIDE OUT

This isn't a sermon.

This is the voice of a growing family of people who are afraid of needlessly losing the live Phish experience.

We are INSIDE OUT; an organization committed to ridding the Phish scene of addictive drugs and the damage they do -- from the inside out.

Phish, like all great live music, is about what happens when the band's on stage. Unfortunately, many people who populate the "scene" before and after the show aren't there for the music. They're around to milk profit from our community, with no regard for its well being. They're exploiting the tolerance we've worked so long to foster, and their spoils piling up on the side of the road.

We're speaking about the growing ranks of dealers who choose to sell physically addictive substances -- cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other opiates -- in the parking lots and at the shows.

These Pushers are multiplying. They've declared a kind of silent war on our Brothers and Sisters, many of whom are just children. They've left behind them a smear of addiction, along with the symptoms it induces -- theft, violence, sickness, and even death.

Among the casualties of their insidious war number some of the finest venues in the United States. Morrison, Colorado. Plattsburgh, New York. New Orleans, Louisiana. These towns have already put out the unwelcome mat, and it appears that George, Washington may do the same.

INSIDE OUT is the voice of Phish fans who can no longer watch the Pushers bleed the scene.

INSIDE OUT is a strategy for self-reliance, self-control and self-determination.

INSIDE OUT IS NOT A WAR ON DRUGS. Our government's drug policy has proven itself a failure, and we do not want Phish tour to become open season on those who choose to exercise personal freedom. But the problem isn't that simple. Addiction, theft, violence and the occasional overdose death are fodder for the hysteria of local press and politicians. These incidents now threaten to become the face by which cities across America know us. Phish concerts already draw the scrutiny of law enforcement, and mounting stories of on-tour tragedy will only turn up the heat. If the current trend persists, Phish will be banned from more venues, and will be forced to restrict touring.

This is an unacceptable outcome. We choose to respond.

We choose to respond as communities all across this country have responded to threats against their pursuit of happiness -- with reason and solidarity. In that spirit of community and healing, we ask the following:

• IF YOU ARE SELLING ADDICTIVE DRUGS IN THE LOT, STOP NOW. If you've interpreted our silence as permission, please think again. Your actions are intolerable to the law and to us. We are asking you now to cease and desist from engaging in the above-mentioned activities. Honor this simple request, and further action will be unnecessary.
• IF YOU ARE ABUSING COCAINE, METH, HEROIN OR OTHER OPIATES, MAKE A DECISION today about how you want to live the rest of your life. If you decide you want to make a change, we support you. The Phellowship can provide information on how to get clean and stay clean, and any Inside Out representative will be glad to direct you to their table.
• IF YOU DON'T FALL INTO EITHER OF THESE CATEGORIES, AND WANT TO ENJOY Phish FOR DECADES TO COME, EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS. Let people know how you feel about their respect -- or lack thereof -- for the beautiful and fragile circus we've been blessed enough to join. Naturally, we invite you to join us in our effort to clean up the Phish scene.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to circulate this flyer, and discuss it with friends...and total strangers. The future depends on it.