About
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
We are the only international network of students dedicated to ending the war on drugs. At heart, SSDP is a grassroots organization, led by a student-run board of directors. We create change by bringing young people together and creating safe spaces for students of all political and ideological stripes to have honest conversations about drugs and drug policy. Founded in 1998, SSDP comprises thousands of members at hundreds of campuses in countries around the globe.
Mission Statement
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an international grassroots network of students who are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities, but who also know that the War on Drugs is failing our generation and our society.
SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and youth.
Key Values
- Shared power and authority
- Youth-controlled agenda
- Collaboration and partnership
- Constituent-specific strategies
- Learning
- Diversity and inclusion
Values Statement
SSDP neither condones nor condemns drug use, rather we respect the right of individuals to make decisions about their own health and well-being. We encourage honest conversation about the realities of the drug war. We promote youth civic engagement as a critical tool in reforming drug policy. SSDP respects the diverse experiences and identities of our constituents. We develop leaders who advocate for policy changes based on justice, liberty, compassion and reason.
SSDP's Structure as a Grassroots Organization
SSDP is comprised of student chapters all across the world. Any student anywhere can start a chapter. While SSDP has a variety of national campaigns and actions that everyone can participate in, chapters are also encouraged to work on those issues that have the most traction in their own communities. Annually SSDP'ers convene for a national conference. There, students acquire essential activist knowledge and skills. Also, chapters elect students to serve on SSDP's Board of Directors. The Board in turn selects and oversees SSDP's executive director, who is responsible for tending to both the day-to-day operations of the organization, as well as its long-term direction. An important duty of the executive director is to hire and manage staff. Currently, besides an executive director, SSDP has two associate directors, an International Liaison, a webmaster and an office administrator. Ultimately, the SSDP staff exists to serve and represent SSDP's chapters and activists. Click here to meet the SSDP staff and board.
Legally, SSDP consists of two separate, distinct entities - Students for Sensible Drug Policy Foundation and Students for Sensible Drug Policy Inc. The former, as a 501(c)3 organization, engages in education and outreach. Donations to SSDP Foundation are tax-deductible. SSDP Inc, as a 501(c)4 organization, engages in advocacy, or attempts to effect change to law and policy. Accordingly, donations to SSDP Inc are not tax-deductible. Click here to read SSDP Foundation's bylaws.
For more info, check out our FAQ Section
Contact Information
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
1317 F Street NW; Suite 501
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 393-5280
ssdp@ssdp.org
- Click here to contact us about starting an SSDP chapter.
- Click here to contact a member of our staff or board directly.
- Click here to see our strategic plan.
