SSDP Report Card – April 2018
Hello, and thanks for checking out our new Report Card! We’re excited to introduce you to this new message, which we’ll send monthly during the school year, to keep you posted on the lastest from our network. Curious about the latest news, work, events from our chapters, or where our newest chapters are located? Look no further! We hope you enjoy the Report Card, and be sure to let us know if you have any suggestions. Stay sensible, Your friends at SSDP
CAT Leaderboard
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Kent State University
- University of Texas Austin
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Connecticut
- Ferris State University
- University of Vienna
- University of North Georgia Gainesville
- SSDP Nigeria
- University College Cork
Making Sense
It’s time to start making sense and replace the War on Drugs with policies rooted in justice, safety, and education. At the United Nations- 36 people attended the first Vienna Youth Summit, a one day workshop the weekend before CND that was centered on global drug policy & regional drug policies in Europe.
- The University of Vienna chapter organized a public rally for human rights in drug policy on Sunday, March 11 in advance of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The speakers, panel discussions, music, and artwork drew a substantial crowd of NGO representatives and CND delegates. First time there was ever an outside action organized around CND.
- Orsi Fehér ‘16 was elected as Treasurer to the board of the Vienna NGO Committee
- SSDP hosted a standing room only side event at the CND — and several attendees called it “they best they had ever seen.”
- SSDP Nigeria chapters, in collaboration with the Ogun State Youth Coalition, has registered 200 people to vote in 2018.
- SSDP Pakistan chapters conducted their second harm reduction seminar in Punjab.
- Kawal Deep Kour (The Assam Don Bosco University chapter organized a lecture with 80 attendees at Punjab University on the need to discuss drug policy in India.
- The University of Vienna chapter organized an event on Psychedelic Science w/ MAPS, Vienna Psychedelic Society, and ISEERS. The panel was moderated by Orsi Fehrer ‘16, University of Vienna chapter leader, and included SSDP Board Chair Ismail Ali ‘15.
- A representative of the Greens Party officially announced the party’s bold new plan to decriminalize cannabis at the SSDP Ireland conference.
- The University of Colorado Boulder chapter successfully compelled the residence hall administration to train RAs in harm reduction philosophy and practice.
- Chapter Leader Anand Pant from University of Texas Austin created the back-end server and app for the Texas Overdose Naloxone Initiative to track overdose reversals in the state.
- SSDP at Arizona State University hosted a wildly successful Naloxone training for ASU students and members of the surrounding community.
- University of Connecticut gathered 565 signatures on a petition to persuade the Mansfield town council to endorse CT cannabis legalization. The next day, four chapter members testified at the state capitol in favor of H.B. 5394 to legalize cannabis.
- University of California Santa Barbara SSDPers met with their District Attorney and District Supervisor to recommend new language around drug paraphernalia to allow for drug checking services.
- Golden Gate University School of Law SSDP hosted their first expungement clinic and community resource fair for equity cannabis programs. They assisted 30 participants in expunging their records, and provided cannabis business resources and training to over 100 attendees.
- UC Hastings Law SSDP held a “lunch and learn” event with Jesse Stout ‘02, a UC Hastings Law and SSDP alum.
- Occidental College SSDP held a successful “Know Your Rights” event with Occidental Law Society, Occidental ACLU, and the Occidental Honor Board.
- UC Hastings Law SSDP partnered with Black Law Students Association for a screening of the documentary film 13th.
- After criticizing stigmatizing posters displayed on campus by Occidental’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee, Occidental College SSDPers were invited by the administration to make improvements to the drug safety campaign’s language.
- Willamette University College of Law SSDP held a public educational event, “Clearing the Air: Oregon Cannabis Law.” Attorney for the Association of Oregon Counties Rob Bovette addressed the line between what’s legal and illegal and what the punishments looks like when people are charged, along with other drug policy issues like the opioid crisis and local meth use. They also heard from Willamette University’s Campus Safety Director, who spoke to the university’s stance and policies regarding cannabis and campus data on alcohol and other drug use.
- Golden Gate University School of Law SSDP volunteered at the San Francisco Office of Cannabis’s job fair, helping reduce drug convictions and educate communities unfairly burdened by the War on Drugs.
- Occidental College SSDP hosted a “Safe Space” for students to cool down during the school’s Spring Fest. They offered free snacks, water, and a calm environment during the festival.
- Reed College SSDPers held a naloxone training, equipping 40 people to respond to opioid overdoses.
- Golden Gate University School of Law SSDPers participated in the San Francisco Public Defender’s Clean Slate program, helping expunge the records of those arrested but never charged with a crime.
- George Mason University co-hosted the Virginia Cannabis Forum on their campus with Virginia NORML.
- An officer from the Howard chapter has been participating in a student led occupation of an administrative building on campus which has lasted over a week. The action is in protest to perceived misappropriation of funds by school administration.
In the News
- Betty talks about federal aid denial for students convicted of drug crimes.
- SSDP leaders from the Philippines spoke with Filipino human rights activists in San Francisco on their way home from #SSDP2018 and a DC street theater protest.
- SSDP at Arizona State University hosted a public naloxone training.
- Kris Krane ‘98 debuted as a opinion writer on Forbes.com with The Cannabis Industry Needs To Support Advocacy. Here’s Why.
New Chapters
International Region- University of Zambia (In-Progress)
- American International School – Riyadh (In-Progress)
- United Methodist University (In-Progress)
- University of Illinois at Springfield (In-progress)
- Salt Lake Community College
- Kennesaw State University (In-progress)
- Pasco-Hernando State College (In-progress)
- Glendale Community College (In-progress)
- Central New Mexico Community College (in-progress)
- University of New Mexico Taos (In-progress)
- University of California Irvine (re-established)
- Bridgewater State University (In-Progress)
- Western Connecticut State University (In-Progress)
- Boston University (In-Progress)
- SUNY Geneseo (In-Progress)
- George Washington University (In-Progress)
- Penn State University Dickinson Law (In-Progress)
SSDP Staff Recommended reading/links/resources
Jake: Overview of the 61st CND from our allies at YODA Scott: Twitter Users Just Say No To Kellyanne Conway’s Drug Abuse Cure Luis: Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry Elise: https://www.catalyst-catalizador.org/ Vilmarie: Will Psychedelics Go Corporate Like Cannabis? Lauren: How activists are fighting for full cannabis legalization in Washington, DCMember benefits
Are you a student, alumni, or supporter member interested in one of the following discounts or benefits? Email ssdp@ssdp.org for the code!- SSDP members can receive a 10% discount on registration for the Beyond Psychedelics conference in Prague, to be held 21-24 June. E-mail jake@ssdp.org for the discount code.
