Dare Generation Diary

Continuing to build our chapter network in the Show Me State

This month, SSDP gained another chapter in Missouri at Saint Charles Community College. SSDP outreach staff got the chance to catch up with Duell Lauderdale, chapter founder, and this is what he had to say about his involvement with SSDP so far.

Last week, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy spoke before the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission.

Last week, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy spoke before the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission.

SB 20 is on its way to the Governor's desk

Colorado SB 20 (full text), which authorizes Legal Immunity to Drug Overdose Reporters, is on its way to Governor John Hickenlooper's desk right now! The bill will provide immunity for the victim and up to two callers in incidences emergencies involving drugs and/or alcohol. This is a huge step forward not only for Colorado, but for sensible drug policy in general.

SSDP gets the facts directly from the Department of Education

Recently, we've noticed an alarming trend of lawmakers and university officials citing the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) as an obstacle impeding them from allowing sensible policy change on college campuses. It turns out that our opponents claims are entirely without merit.

Amendment to ban the use of Federal funds to crack down on medical marijuana defeated

Next Stop: Governor Malloy's Desk

This past weekend, a bill to legalize marijuana as a palliative for the chronically ill was passed by the Connecticut State Senate. This now makes 17 states and the District of Columbia that have passed legislation in support of medical marijuana. The bill passed the Senate 21-13, passed the house 96-51, and is currently on its way to Governor Malloy’s desk, where he is expected to sign the bill into law.

Oregon SSDP Continues to Grow!

This week, SSDP gained another chapter in Oregon, at Oregon State University. I got the chance to catch up with Daniel Bauer, chapter founder and president, and this is what he had to say about his experience with SSDP at OSU.

Demand a human rights investigation into DEA torture of Daniel Chong

On April 21, Daniel was smoking marijuana with friends when DEA agents suddenly burst through the door of his friend’s apartment with guns drawn. Daniel was detained and taken to the local DEA field office in San Diego, where he was placed in a five-foot by ten-foot windowless holding cell and handcuffed. Then, he was forgotten about by DEA agents for five days without food, water, or access to a bathroom.

Take the pledge to have "The Talk"

This mother's day, SSDP is teaming up with the NORML Women's Alliance, the Drug Policy Alliance, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, and Moms United to End the Drug War for a "Cops and Moms Week of Action". We hope you'll take this opportunity to openly discuss drugs and drug policy with your parent(s).

Press conference at the National Press Club May 2, 2012

What: Mother’s Day press conference announcing coalition between moms, cops and students against the war on drugs. Followed by a nationwide “Cops & Moms Week of Action”. When: May 2, 2012 at 10 a.m. Where: National Press Club - Washington, D.C. Who: NORML Women’s Alliance, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Moms United to End the Drug War and the Drug Policy Alliance.

By Fernando Thiríon

Speaking at the forum served as SSDP’s debut on the national policy stage, but also demonstrated to panelists, the public and the media that students and youth can serve as equals in the drug policy reform movement. It has shown that SSDP is a national player that should be invited to the table for debate and dialogue. In addition, the various SSDP chapters worked together as a team and grew much stronger as a positive consequence. We are proud of each other and look forward to creating a stronger student movement in Mexico!

by Graham de Barra, SSDP Ireland

Each chapter was given the opportunity to vote for 5 out of the 13 candidates who they saw would best stand on the board. I sat in anticipation as Mike called out those elected and I was shocked to hear, “Graham from Ireland, err, I can’t pronounce his surname”. I was never so happy to hear someone struggle with my Irish surname and I was welcomed on stage by the new board in which I would be working with.

Bringing the movement to Idaho

The University of Idaho is SSDP's newest official chapter! I spoke with chapter founder and President Jami Reiner about her experience so far and her vision for the chapter moving forward;

Updates from the Sunshine State

SSDP students have been hard at work all across the sunshine state, working to change impractical policies on state and campus levels. Here are some updates of what our Florida chapters have been up to;

Video: SSDPers share their responses

At the 13th Annual International Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference in Denver, Colorado, hundreds of students, alumni, and other supporters were asked to share their stories with us. This video includes selected responses to the question: "Why are you fighting to end the war on drugs?"

The 3rd Annual SSDP UK Conference

On the weekend of Friday the 20th to Sunday the 22nd of April, Students for Sensible Drug Policy UK will be hosting its third annual conference at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

Creating a more sensible DC

A bill that would provide immunity from legal repercussions for minor drug offenses when calling for emergency aid during an overdose was introduced in the Council of the District of Columbia on Tuesday. Council members Phil Mendelson and Tommy Wells are sponsors of the legislation. Currently titled the “Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Amendment Act of 2012,” the bill would protect not only against charge and prosecution for minor drug offenses, such as possession and paraphernalia, but would also prevent police officers from having the ability to arrest people for these offenses. Additionally, it would protect those who have outstanding warrants for misdemeanors and would prevent evidence gained from seeking help during an overdose from being used in a drug-related eviction proceeding.

Ideas for Our Time

2012 is the centennial of Milton Friedman’s birth, and our friends at the Free To Choose Network are proud to organize a worldwide effort to celebrate the winning ideas of freedom. They are offering SSDP chapters many ways to get involved in the celebration; including documentary screenings, speaking engagements, and a “what Milton means to me” video contest with a top prize of $1200.

How SSDP helped enact a statewide good samaritan policy

On April 6th, Governor Scott signed Florida's 911 Good Samaritan Act (SB 278). Although the law won't technically take effect until October 1st, Florida is now the 13th state to enact some form of Good Samaritan legislation. More specifically, Florida is now the 6th state to extend immunity to possession of controlled substances (joining NW, WA, CT, NY, and IL) and the 6th state to add help-seeking as a mitigating factor (joining NM, AK, MD, WA, UT, and IL).