September 2016
Report of the SSDP Nigeria Model UN Simulation and Training
Written by the chapter leaders of SSDP Nigeria On Thursday 29th September 2016, SSDP’s Nigeria chapter held a Model United Nations simulation of a General Assembly meeting at the University of Ibadan, with about 50 total students in attendance. The simulation allowed students to research the drug policies of one country and simulate a general assembly meeting in which recommendations
Some People Need to Smoke Their Medicine
The Florida No On 2 campaign that opposes legalizing medical marijuana just received a written endorsement from the Florida Baptist Convention. Beginning at the very title of Executive Director Dr. Tommy Green’s endorsement, “You Don’t Smoke Medicine,” virtually everything he says is completely untrue. Dr. Green states that “the Florida legislature has already enacted the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of
An FGCU Student’s Reaction to the DEA Scheduling of Mitragyna Speciosa
Once again, the DEA has made a decision that will likely lead to more harm than good. The move to regulate Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) and its active alkaloids, mitragynine (MG) and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7HMG), as Schedule I substances is just one addition to a long list of poor policy decisions with little basis in science. Schedule I drugs are defined as
SSDP Welcomes Vilmarie Narloch, Psy.D. as Drug Education Manager
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is thrilled to welcome Vilmarie Narloch, Psy.D. (’09) as our new Drug Education Manager. In this role, Vilmarie will oversee the development and implementation of the SSDP Peer Education Program, which will certify SSDP members to deliver our Just Say Know drug education program to their peers. Additionally, she will keep staff and the network educated on
September Monthly Mosaic: State-Sponsored Repression and the War on Drugs
STATE-SPONSORED REPRESSION AND THE WAR ON DRUGS Two years ago today, 43 students of la Escuela Normal Raúl Isidro Burgos, also known as the Normal Rural de Ayotzinapa—a residential college for peasant farmers studying to become teachers serving in their own rural communities—disappeared in Iguala, Guerrero. Rural normal colleges, such as the Normal Rural de Ayotzinapa, are a legacy of
SSDP Welcomes the Santa Barbara City College Chapter
Meet Evan Adary, the chapter leader of SSDP at Santa Barbara City College! How did you hear about SSDP? I stumbled upon SSDP while researching different universities. I looked around at several different college websites and previewed some of the student activities that were listed. Why did you want to get involved/what made you decide to start a chapter? In many
Introducing the First SSDP Chapter in Belgrade!
I’m very happy to introduce you all to SSDP’s first chapter in Eastern Europe: SSDP Belgrade! They have had six meetings so far and have really hit the ground running the last few months. The chapter has some exciting plans coming up that they would like to share with the rest of the SSDP network. How did you hear about
The Criminal Justice Approach to Opiate Abuse is Failing in New York
Written by SUNY Albany Graduate School SSDP chapter leader Lauren Parasconda. The Opiate Epidemic in the United States has expanded into many cities, towns, and states across the U.S at an alarming rate over the last few years. In New York City alone, Staten Island is currently leading the way in the number of opiate/heroin-related deaths amongst the other 4
SSDPers as Academics and Drug Policy Scholars
As SSDPers take on an impressive range of events, initiatives, and policy changes this semester, it is important to consider how these activities can be showcased in your academic and professional life. Many SSDPers will work to incorporate drug policy topics into coursework due to the interdisciplinary nature of reform work, which is such a fun way to blend your
Ayotzinapa: How Heroin Trafficking, Mining, and US Foreign Policy Played a Role
This is the third and final of a series of blog posts by SSDP Latin America Policy intern Jacki Moreira about the upcoming 2 year anniversary of the disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural School. Today, she takes a look as some of the other external factors that contributed to the tragedy. Transnational Drug Trafficking The Grupo Interdisciplinario de Expertos
SSDP Welcomes the SUNY Albany Graduate School Chapter!
I’m thrilled to introduce our newest SSDP chapter in New York at SUNY Albany Graduate School! Over the past year, the SUNY Albany SSDP chapter has been among the most efficient and active chapters in the entire network. Several of the members, including chapter leader Lauren Parasconda, graduated last year and made the decision to start up a new SSDP
SSDP Mentors program launched today
The interpersonal connections between SSDPers have always been the glue that makes our organization so strong. With an ever-growing population of SSDP alumni, there’s never been a better time to formalize those relationships. Today, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of “SSDP Mentors,” the SSDP Alumni Association Mentoring Program! By connecting current SSDP students with those who have graduated, we
Why Hasn’t There been Any Justice for the Victims of Ayotzinapa?
Two weeks ago, we published a call to action on the 23 month anniversary of the disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural School. Today, SSDP Latin America Policy Intern Jacki Moreira takes a look at why investigations into the disappearances have yielded no results or arrests. Grupo Interdisciplinario de Expertos Independientes (GIEI) As mentioned in the previous blog post,
SSDP Ghana Hosts Successful Open Forum in Accra
The following summary was written by leaders of the Ghana SSDP chapter after their successful open forum last Friday, August 26 in Accra. Students have been urged to participate in the political process and help push for sensible drug policies that will create a sustainable future for them and the next generation, speakers at SSDP Ghana’s first open forum said. Last week,
SSDP Welcomes the University of South Dakota Chapter
I’m very excited to announce the formation of a newly established SSDP chapter at the University of South Dakota. I’ve been working with Jimmy and Lenette, co-leaders of the group, for some time now. After a long and arduous recognition process, they have emerged successful and started an SSDP chapter at USD that I believe will leave a lasting legacy
