October 2015
The 2014-2015 SSDP Annual Report
We’re proud to share with you the 2014-2015 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Annual Report.This 48-page document showcases some of our accomplishments, media highlights, numbers, campaigns, chapters, events, financial information, and more from the past program year (July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015).
DARE October Monthly Mosaic
Domestic Violence and the Drug War October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Conceived of by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, DVAM finds its roots in the “Day of Unity,” first observed in October 1981 with the intent of connecting advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity
SSDP Party Guide: Halloween Edition
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about drug policy (and drug use). During the holiday season, alcohol and drug use rates often increase, especially on campus. Students for Sensible Drug Policy does not condone nor condemn drug use; rather, we realize that it is a reality on our campuses and in our communities. We know
Salem College SSDP Passes Medical Amnesty Policy in its First Month on Campus
Last month, SSDP welcomed a new chapter into our network at Salem College in North Carolina. When I met the co-founders of the chapter, Utang Enyenihi and Megan Cook, at the Students for Liberty Campus Coordinator retreat earlier this summer, I knew they were going to accomplish big things. What I didn’t know was how quickly and decisively they would be
UAB SSDP Chapter Brings Together Two Generations of Activists
The SSDP network is seeing a surge of activity in the state of Alabama, with students working to form chapters on 4 campuses around the state this semester. Dana Ullrich is a part of that surge. She is our newest chapter founder at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) where she is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Dana
SSDP Welcomes the Rocky Mountain College Chapter
The Mountain Region keeps getting bigger, and I love it! Molly Davis recently started a chapter at Rocky Mountain College, and has already got a sizable team on her side working to end the drug war on their campus. Read what she has to say about her experience so far. How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP
SSDP Welcomes the Colorado State University Chapter
I am very excited to introduce our newest established chapter at Colorado State University. Elijah has been a chapter leader with us since he was in high school, and brought the SSDP message to his new college campus. Check out what he has to say about his experiences and aspirations. How did you hear about SSDP? I first heard about SSDP
SSDP Welcomes the Humboldt State University Chapter
Meet Daniela Vargas, a Political Science major entering her senior year at Humboldt State University. She has been involved with Model UN of the Far West for five years now, and found out about Students for Sensible Drug Policy through our upcoming Model UNGASS. Her goal for this year is to start and establish a well-run chapter of SSDP before
SSDP Welcomes the Sonoma State University Chapter
I am so excited to introduce the Sonoma State University chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy! The newest SSDP leaders are Kelly Kauffman (third from the left) and Wendy Contreras (not pictured), the newest SSDP leaders of Sonoma State University! Kelly and Wendy, both seniors studying sociology, decided to get involved with SSDP because of their sociology professor, Nicole Wolfe. Because
SSDP Welcomes the Loyola University Chicago Chapter!
I am very excited to introduce our newest established chapter at Loyola University Chicago! I’ve been fortunate to get to know chapter leaders Ari and Rory over the past summer, and now that they are up and running, I cannot wait to see all that they accomplish in the upcoming academic year. They both responded to our new chapter interview, check
13th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Drug Crimes
Written by Sarah Merrigan, University of Nebraska Omaha SSDP Chapter Leader and UNGASS Coordinator Intern Saturday, October 10th marks the 13th World Day Against the Death Penalty, and this year the focus is on the use of the capital punishment for drug-related crimes. While the use of capital punishment has generally declined over the last few decades, a report published this
SSDP Welcomes the Hamline University Chapter
It is my absolute pleasure to introduce our newest chapter in Minnesota at Hamline University. They have come a long way in a very short time, and considering how well-organized they have been and how quickly they have built up, I am confident that they will be doing some big things on campus. I spoke with chapter leader Gunnar Aas about what
SSDP Welcomes the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Chapter
I am pumped to introduce our newest chapter in New York at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute! With the addition of RPI, SSDP now has a presence on 18 campuses in New York, one of the highest totals of any state in the country. In the month since this chapter started up, I have been blown away by their organization, compassion, and
Participate in the annual SSDP membership survey
As we are a grassroots network, your opinions about how and what we do are invaluable to us. Once you submit your survey responses, you’ll be entered to win one of several prizes that include $50 and $20 Amazon gift cards, free t-shirts, and other merchandise. Thank you in advance for participating in our fourth annual SSDP membership survey! Please select
How Can Putin Solve Russia’s Drug Crisis?
Written by Sara Velimirovic, SSDP UNGASS Coordinator Intern and Ambassador at the Paris Institute of Political Studies Sciences Po A heroin epidemic is rampaging across Russia, and President Vladimir Putin seems to be dealing with this issue through a drug-war-like strategy. In other words, he is adding fuel to the fire while ignoring a smarter way to deal with this public health
SSDP Welcomes the Yale University Chapter
I’m very excited to introduce our newest chapter in the Northeast region, Yale University! Chapter leader Clement Dupuy contacted us about a month ago about getting a chapter started up and has been working hard to create an established SSDP presence in New Haven. SSDP now has three chapter at Ivy League schools, with Brown University and University of Pennsylvania
SSDP Welcomes the Berkeley City College Chapter
I could not be more thrilled to introduce Begonia Blossom Herbert, the founder and chapter leader of Students for Sensible Drug Policy at Berkeley City College. Begonia studies Psychology at Berkeley City College but hopes to transfer to UCLA in the near future. She will be receiving her AA in Arts and Humanities in 2016! Begonia wanted to get involved
SSDP Welcomes the University of Oregon Chapter
I am extremely excited to welcome the University of Oregon chapter into the SSDP family! The founding members include Laura Huskey (Math and Computer Science freshman), Misa Smith (Sociology Senior), and Michael Worcester (Political Science Senior, dual-enrolled at Lane Community College). Fun fact – they share the same birthday as Students for Sensible Drug Policy! I met all of them
SSDP Welcomes the Oregon State University Chapter
Meet Chris Strahan, the founder of Students for Sensible Drug Policy at Oregon State University. He is a sophomore studying Fermentation Science. “I decided to get involved with Students for Sensible Drug Policy because there’s a chance to do something for the actual local community, people in Corvallis who are affected by things like drug abuse. So I thought starting
Today is SSDP’s birthday!
In the fall of 1996, members of the Student Drug Reform Movement (SDRM) began to chat over the internet using a Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet) discussion page. In 1997, the Rochester Cannabis Coalition (RCC) at the Rochester Institute of Technology applied to become the first official student organization dedicated to fighting back against the War on Drugs. RIT denied
