Blog
Public Announcement of the Resolution to Advance Sensible Drug Policy!
Join Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) for the public announcement of the Resolution to Advance Sensible Drug Policy! We have created a full resolution, an organizing guide, and a one pager that breaks the ordinance down into 4 main sections: adopting a public health approach to controlled substances, reforming criminal codes, audit and tracking of expenses and fees
SSDP International Opens Registration for the Annual UN Training Webinar Series
Following the launch of the Second Edition of Drug Policy Reform at the United Nations: A Youth Advocacy Handbook, SSDP International is proud to open registration for the Annual UN Training Webinar Series.Both international and US network members are welcome to sign up using the SSDP UN Mailing List.
Here’s to 23 years of Students for Sensible Drug Policy
SSDP is celebrating our 23rd birthday this month, will you celebrate with us today? 23 years ago, the drug policy movement was in a much different place. 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
We’re hiring two U.S. advocacy interns!
Have you ever wanted to work for Students for Sensible Drug Policy? We’re hiring two US advocacy interns! Working for SSDP is a great opportunity to serve our network of students and young people who are leading the charge to end the disastrous War on Drugs and heal the harms of drug prohibition. SSDP is overseen by our Board of
SSDP International Launches the Second Edition of Drug Policy Reform at the United Nations: A Youth Advocacy Handbook
To fulfil a more extensive UN Strategy for 2021-2022, SSDP International is proud to release the Second Edition of the Youth Advocacy Handbook.
SSDP Welcomes Rory O’Brien, Jacob Plowden, and Jeremy Sharp to the Team
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is thrilled to welcome three new full-time staff members to our team. Rory O’Brien ’19 joins us as our first Communications Manager, Jacob Plowden ’15 joins as our New York State Coordinator, and Jeremy Sharp ’12 joins us as our Pacific Region Outreach Coordinator. Rory O’Brien ‘19 (she/her/ella) is the Communications Manager for Students for
The European Drug Policy Working Group is Recruiting New Members!
Shaping its strategy around the EU Agenda and Action Plan on Drugs 2021-2025, the Drug Policy Working Group is looking to expand youth participation in decision making and other democratic processes at a regional level. If you have ever wished to make tangible change in the drug policy landscape of your country and/or at the European level, joining this regional Working Group is the ideal starting point in your advocacy journey.
SSDP submits comments on Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
September 1, 2021 The Honorable Cory Booker The Honorable Ron Wyden The Honorable Chuck Schumer Attn: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act Sponsoring Offices United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20515 Submitted via email to Cannabis_Reform@finance.senate.gov. RE: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act — Students for Sensible Drug Policy: U.S. Policy Council Comments Dear Senators Booker, Wyden, and Schumer: On behalf of Students
Introducing Collingswood High School
Written by Audrey Bosniak ’21, Collingswood High School SSDP Chapter Leader How did you hear about SSDP? Actually, I think my mom sent me the SSDP instagram page. She’s a therapist studying psychedelics and a big inspiration for me. Why did you want to get involved/what made you decide to start a chapter? It feels like I hear misconceptions
International Overdose Awareness Day 2021
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. The day began in 2001 in Melbourne, Australia and has grown to be the largest annual global campaigns to end overdose. With one of the slogans being, “Time to Remember. Time to Act.” The World Drug Report (2021) stated that an estimated 275 million people used drugs in 2020 and that drug related deaths
Announcing New SSDP Promotions!
We are excited to announce two promotions for members of our team!Rob Hofmann ‘16 is now our Policy and Advocacy Director! In this role, Rob will be advancing drug policy reform by developing, implementing, and activating members around SSDP’s policy priorities. Other responsibilities include: Advising the SSDP team and members on policy mattersConducting research on current and upcoming legislation as
Get Your New Care Package for the New School Year!
As schools start bringing students back on campus, in-person recruiting for chapters is once again becoming a reality. Tabling, flyering, and other in-person recruitment strategies are key to developing a strong and long lasting chapter, so make sure you are incorporating a strong recruitment strategy with your chapter members! To help bring in the new school year and the first
Interview with Annajane Yolken
Interviewer: Liza Begum, Global Operations and U.S. Policy Intern Annajane Yolken is a public health advocate, working to translate data and research into evidence-based drug policy. She is a co-founder and co-chair of the Substance Use Policy, Education, and Recovery (SUPER) PAC. She is also Director of Programs at Project Weber/RENEW, a peer-based harm reduction service organization in Rhode Island.
Announcing SSDP International’s Extraordinary Board Elections and General Assembly
In light of recent changes within the SSDP International team, we are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for network members interested in joining the SSDP International Board of Directors! Nominations will be open until August 30th, when the election candidates will be announced. On September 13th, online voting will open, and the successful candidates will be announced at the Extraordinary General Assembly on Monday the 20th of September.
SSDP’s European Committee is Recruiting New Members for its Harm Reduction Working Group
The SSDP European Committee is happy to open its doors to the freshly formed Harm Reduction Working Group. If you’re a chapter member, alumni, or Ambassador in Europe, then this is your chance to contribute to regional efforts while boosting opportunities and resources for your own local area.
Action: U.S Policy Council Collecting Comments for Senate Cannabis Legalization Bill
The Offices of Senator Schumer, Booker, and Wyden are accepting comments on specific parts of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), the Senate cannabis legalization bill released in July. The U.S Policy Council is collecting comments to submit on behalf of SSDP. Much like the MORE Act in the House, the CAOA would remove marijuana from the federal Controlled
Event: It’s Time To Defund The Eradication of Psychoactive Plants in Colombia
Join Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Bay Area Latino Cannabis Alliance, Muisca Capital Group, and the Urban Survivors Union this Wednesday, August 11th, for our event demanding that Congress stop using US tax dollars on dangerous, ineffective aerial crop eradication and to shift those resources toward supporting research and economic support for local indigenous communities. Hear from Colombian researchers, social justice advocates,
July 2021 – U.S Policy Council Monthly Round-Up
Projects: SSDP’s comments and Relevant Summary of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act is in progress, due September 1stNew actions added to the Action Center!Urge Congress and the Biden Administration to Eliminate Funding for International Crop Eradication hereUrge Representatives to Co-sponsor and Support the Drug Policy Reform Act of 2021 hereNew U.S Policy Council Tactical Team Vote Tracker started July
SSDP Newsletter – July 2021
Note from Executive Director, Jason Ortiz ’08 Hello SSDP! As the new Executive Director of SSDP, I’m excited to share all the amazing work we’ve been doing over the last few months to pass cannabis laws, create opportunities in the psychedelic space, and continue to lift the voices of those most impacted by the war on drugs. If after reading
We’re hiring!
Have you ever wanted to work for Students for Sensible Drug Policy? We’re hiring for THREE positions, and this could be your chance to land your dream job! Working for SSDP is an opportunity to serve our network of students who are leading the charge to end the disastrous War on Drugs and heal the harms of drug prohibition. SSDP
SSDP Welcomes Iulia Vatau ’20 as Our New Global Fellow
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is happy to announce that Iulia Vatau ’20 has joined the team as a Global Fellow for Europe and the UN. Iulia founded the University College London chapter and established a student-led harm reduction volunteering project based on the Just Say Know curriculum. She has been critical to the revival of Students for Sensible Drug
#SensibleSummer – How to Make the Best of Your Summer as a SSDPer
In some parts of the world summer is in full swing, and we’ve put together a bank of ideas to help you and your chapter make the most of your summer!
Introducing SSDP’s McHenry, Illinois Ambassador
Written by Taylor Hansen ‘21, McHenry, Illinois SSDP Ambassador How did you hear about SSDP?I heard about SSDP when I attended a few conferences relating to the studies of psychedelics. I originally heard about the UK organization and was thrilled when I learned there was one also active in the US. Why did you want to get involved/what made you
SSDP Burundi Hosts First Harm Reduction Event at the Institut Supérieur Islamique de Muyinga
Gathering over 60 participants, including educators and government members, SSDP Burundi chapter members successfully delivered a harm reduction focused event, raising awareness on the importance of non-judgmental, non-coercive provision of services to people who use drugs and the communities in which they live. Presented by chapter leaders Lambert Nduwayezu ‘20 and Egide Nduwayo ‘20, the workshop is part of larger
Introducing Case Western Reserve University SSDP
Written by Rachel Susany ‘21 and Micaela Swim ‘21, Case Western Reserve University SSDP Chapter Leaders How did you hear about SSDP?M: Rachel R: I heard about SSDP while I was scrolling through Linkedin. I messaged a woman I found working as in-house counsel for a company that does psychedelic research and asked her for advice and she told me
