Blog
A Youth Response to the World Drug Report 2021
Students for Sensible Drug Policy International are proud to release a Youth Response to the World Drug Report 2021. Building on the “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives” spirit promoted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Response encompasses youth insights into the recent drug market trends and COVID-19 developments.
Less Than 50 Days Until International Overdose Awareness Day
With less than 50 days to go until International Overdose Awareness Day, now is the time to start planning your event, if you haven’t started already. For those who aren’t used to organising events, don’t worry, we have a fantastic bank of event ideas, big and small, created by the Penington Institute. There’s one for everyone! Advocacy Influencing policy is
Introducing Our Global Operations and U.S. Policy Intern
Written by Liza Begum How did you hear about SSDP? I first heard about SSDP from Global Kids. I had applied to the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and was selected, so my journey of selecting where I wanted to spend the summer began. Sabrina, an SYEP coordinator for Global Kids, recommended SSDP to me, an organization that she was
June 2021 – U.S Policy Council Monthly Round-Up
Projects: SSDP MORE Act Chapter and Allied Organization Sign-On Letter was publishedJune Hiatus – No meetings for the month of June 🙂U.S Policy Quick Links – everyone is welcome to build on and contribute to this living resource. Be sure to check it out and add to it, it is changing all of the time! All 117th Congress legislative endorsements
Take Action for International Overdose Awareness Day 2021
This year is the 20th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day. With over half a million people dying as a result of drug use annually, it has never been more important. On the 31st of August every year, we publicly mourn, educate people on drugs to prevent overdose, and advocate for better drug policies. We are calling on SSDPers everywhere to run events as part of the campaign.
SSDP Sign-On Letter: Oppose Aerial Crop Eradication
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is circulating a sign-on letter for organizations and SSDP chapters to urge Congress to eliminate funding for aerial crop eradication in Colombia on the bases of environmental justice, human rights, public health, and sensible drug policy. In 2014, the World Health Organization found that Glyphosate, which is used in aerial fumigation, was and is responsible
It’s Time to Retire the War on Drugs
50 years ago today, former US President Richard Nixon declared drugs and people who use them “public enemy number one.” Since then, the global War on Drugs has taken the lives of thousands and ruined the lives of millions through criminalization, incarceration, and making drug use dangerous under prohibition. The War on Drugs was racially motivated from the very beginning. John Ehrlichman,
Connecticut House and Senate pass cannabis legalization with strong protections for students
For immediate release Primary contact: Jason Ortiz, SSDP Executive Directorjason@ssdo.org, (860) 639-8101 Secondary contact: Zach Green, President of UConn Hartford SSDPz.tyler.green@gmail.com, (860) 671-7414 Hartford – Connecticut became the 19th state to pass cannabis legalization through the legislature when the House of Representatives and Senate both passed SB1201. The bill is expected to be signed by the Governor today. “While stronger
Join The Team – Call for Global Fellow & Administration Officer
Students for Sensible Drug Policy International are looking for a Administration & Compliance Officer and a Global Fellow to join our team. Both positions are contractor positions, with a preferred start date of July 1st 2021. Please send your CV or resumé and cover letter to Róisín Downes at roisin@ssdp.org.
78 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Chapters Call On Congress To End Federal Marijuana Prohibition
For Immediate Release Primary contact: Rob Hofmann, United States Outreach and Policy Coordinator, Students for Sensible Drug Policy(607) 316-0227, robert@ssdp.org Secondary Contact: Jason Ortiz, Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy(860) 639-8101, jason@ssdp.org Today, 78 Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) chapters sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi, House Majority Leader Hoyer, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy urging
SSDP International is launching applications for the International Impact Grant on 15 June 2021!
SSDP International is launching applications for the International Impact Grant on 1 July 2021!
May 2021 – U.S Policy Council Monthly Round-Up
Projects: Appropriations Memos and Part 1 Slide Deck released, check U.S policy council website!SSDP MORE Act Chapter and Allied Organization Sign On LetterJune HiatusSpecial Pre-Hiatus US Policy Council Meeting Tuesday, June 1st 4-5pm monthly agenda hereU.S Policy Quick Links – everyone is welcome to build on and contribute to this living resource. Be sure to check it out and add
Introducing Penn State SSDP
Written by Kunal Gupta ’21, Penn State SSDP Chapter Leader How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through my own research as a potential way for students to get more involved in the landscape of law reform regarding substance use! Why did you want to get involved/what made you decide to start a chapter? I wanted to
Introducing Heller School for Social Policy and Management SSDP
Written by Ali Carney ‘21, Heller School for Social Policy and Management SSDP Chapter Leader How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through volunteering with the organization Baystaters for Natural Medicine. Once I expressed the idea of starting some sort of drug policy working group at Heller, a colleague of mine brought SSDP to my attention once
SSDP Press Release: Congress is Back for MORE to End Federal Marijuana Prohibition
The reintroduction of the MORE Act would remove federal penalties for marijuana and seek to repair the harms caused by decades of racially biased policing. Today, leaders in the House of Representatives reintroduced a landmark bill to end federal marijuana prohibition and begin to repair the harms caused by decades of disproportionate arrests and prosecutions. The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and
The MORE Act Returns to Congress Tomorrow. Act Now.
The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act is expected to be re-introduced in the House of Representatives tomorrow (May 28th).In 2020, the House made history by passing the MORE Act, which would end the criminalization of marijuana at the federal level and provide grants to communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. With a split Senate and ever-increasing
SSDP Sign-On Letter To Support the MORE Act
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is circulating a sign-on letter for organizations and SSDP chapters to call on House representatives to co-sponsor the MORE Act and bring it to the floor in June. The impact of a simple marijuana arrest on a young person’s life can be drastic. Before the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty was removed, thousands of
Introducing SSDP Kentucky
Written by Tristan Harris ‘21, SSDP Kentucky Chapter Leader *Editor’s Note: Tristan is based out of the University of Pikeville, but all Kentuckians are welcome! To get connected, please email outreach@ssdp.org How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies site, I clicked on the link and explored the page. Why
Nominations are open for SSDP International’s European Regional Committee
Nominations are open for the inaugural elections of the European Regional Committee! Each country within the Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East regions can nominate two members for the Committee until the 21st of May, 17.00 CET. This is a great opportunity for members who are keen to become leaders in a dynamic international grassroots network and build valuable
April 2021 – U.S Policy Council Monthly Round-Up
Projects: TODAY – Introduction to U.S Policy Council #Sensible2021 Conference Session at 2:30 PM ESTTraining Library coming in June- Appropriations Series – Four parts to be uploaded. More details coming soon.U.S Policy Quick Links – everyone is welcome to build on and contribute to this living resource. Be sure to check it out and add to it, it is changing
Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Lift Restrictions on Sentencing Juveniles to Life Without Parole
A week ago, the Supreme Court ruled to lift restrictions on hard-line sentencing and mandatory minimums—making it easier for juveniles to be sentenced to life without parole. The ruling is in favor of harsh sentencing and mandatory minimums—overruling precedent to reform the U.S criminal justice system and undermining decades of reform meant to bring compassion and reason to youth sentencing.
Introducing Rutgers University SSDP
Written by Lily Ramos ‘21, Rutgers University Chapter Leader How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through searching for organizations dedicated to legalizing medicinal psilocybin and the decriminalization of drugs. I was fascinated as I have always been passionate about drug policy and the broken ones we have in the United States. Why did you want to
Introducing SSDP’s Dubuque Ambassador
Written by Evan Hudson ‘21, Dubuque, Iowa SSDP Ambassador How did you hear about SSDP? I’ve been aware of SSDP’s work since high school, but only recently looked into getting involved as an extension of my work in harm reduction. Why did you want to get involved/what made you decide to start an SSDP Ambassadorship? I was inspired to become
Statement on Congress Voting to Extend Trump-Era Class-Wide Scheduling and Mandatory Minimum Sentencing of Fentanyl Analogues
Written by Sarah Noon ‘18On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to extend the Trump-era scheduling of fentanyl analogues, chemically similar substances—an approach that fails to mitigate overdose deaths, to mitigate other harms associated with substance use, and expands the use of harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws currently set to expire May 6th. Today, the Senate will vote on the
#Sensible2021 is in three days!
In three days, hundreds of drug policy reformers across the globe will unite (virtually) to envision a more sensible future for all. Will you be one of them? #Sensible2021: The Virtual Drug Policy Conference makes activism as easy as clicking a link and Students for Sensible Drug Policy invites you to be a part of the movement by getting online
