Tag: harm reduction
Youth at risk and youth on show – Young people’s engagement in global drug policy reform
By Beatrix Vas ’19, SSDP Global Development Intern & SSDP Budapest Chapter Leader In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly declared the 12th of August International Youth Day, intended to draw attention to and celebrate young people’s actions and achievements towards creating a better world for all. The theme of International Youth Day 2020 is “Youth Engagement for Global Action,”
Drug Use and the LGBTQ+ Community – Taking Pride in Harm Reduction
This piece was originally published by YouthRISE Executive Director Ailish Brennan as a Press Release for SSDP Ireland for both Support. Don’t Punish. and Pride Weekend Celebrations in Ireland. Pride has become a time defined by love and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community (LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and the + is for everyone else who identifies
DEA, Go Away!
Harm Reduction & Drug Prevention: Civil Society’s Search For Common Ground
Author: Jacob Chagnon ’17 One of the most valuable aspects of attending the annual Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the opportunity to collaborate with other civil-society groups. This work extends beyond attending the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)-sponsored programming–the plenary, the side events–and beyond our network of youth-focused civil society, Paradigma. While many Non Governmental Organisations
Just Say Know Drug Education Roundup – April 2020
Announcing the #Sensible2020 Virtual Conference Program
Just Say Know Drug Education Roundup – March 2020
Lastly, we’ve compiled a list of SSDP-related activities you can complete if you are self-isolating during COVID-19. Interested in learning more about how SSDP approaches drug education? Check out our Just Say Know Peer Education program, and contact vilmarie@ssdp.org with questions.
Just Say Know Drug Education Roundup – February 2020
Interested in learning more about how SSDP approaches drug education? Check out our Just Say Know Peer Education program, and contact vilmarie@ssdp.org with questions.
Leeds University Union Mandated to Supply Reagent Kits to the Student Body
Written by: Matt Port ‘19 SSDP Leeds Chair and SSDP UK Committee Chair This year, Leeds University Union (LUU) passed a referendum that requires them to provide free reagent drug checking kits on campus! This a direct result of the actions of Students for Sensible Drug Policy Leeds, and we’re so excited about working with LUU on making it happen.
The First 6 Months of Starting a Chapter – Trinity College Dublin
Written by Trinity College Dublin Chapter Vice President Amie Hogan ’19. After our President, Eolann Davis ‘19, spoke about establishing a chapter in Trinity, I couldn’t not get involved. I was shocked that something like this didn’t already exist in my university, especially with the increasing amounts of students using drugs. Establishing this chapter was not completely plain sailing. Our
This is the last week to apply for #Sensible2020 scholarships
Just Say Know Drug Education Roundup – December 2019
Member highlight: Julia Hilbert ’17
As the year comes to a close, we’re highlighting outstanding SSDP members whose work inspired our staff this year. Julia Hilbert ‘17 is the Vice Chair of SSDP’s Board of Directors. Julia got her start in harm reduction through SSDP, when her chapter at the University of Pittsburgh connected with Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP), a local nonprofit that provides health
Just Say Know Drug Education Roundup – November 2019
Introducing Middlebury College SSDP
Written by Maria Bobbit-Chertock, Middlebury College SSDP Chapter Leader How did you hear about SSDP? At the beginning of the semester, I spoke with my Sociology professor, Rebecca Tiger, about how I wanted to start a harm reduction interest group on campus. She directed me to the SSDP website. Why did you want to get involved/what made you decide to
The Importance of Drug Checking
Meet Declan Moore ’15 from SSDP Ireland
This post is part of a series highlighting our network outside of the United States. This work would not be possible without the support of the International Activities Fund. I’m delighted to share a blog post written by one of our most dedicated activists, Declan Moore ‘15. Declan won Outstanding Student Organiser 2019 and has been one of our most
Daniel Jabbour Scholarship Fund for SSDP2019
Daniel Jabbour ‘07, an SSDP all-star alumnus, passed away in April of 2014. To honor and remember him, SSDP created the Daniel Jabbour Scholarship Fund to help send outstanding activists to SSDP conferences. This year, the scholarship committee will be selecting a few SSDPers to attend SSDP2019: The Global Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference. Daniel’s driving passions in drug
SSDP’s Top 10 Highlights of 2018
Students for Sensible Drug Policy did some amazing things in 2018. Our thoughtful, bright, and impressive young activists made huge strides towards SSDP’s vision of a post-prohibition future where safety, justice, and education are prioritized in drug policy. There’s no better time than right now to help us celebrate 20 years and the start of 2019 by making a year-end
Making Israeli Music Festivals Safer Through Harm Reduction
Written by Yahav Erez ’17, Founder of SSDP Israel When I first received a drug checking kit from a friend this past May during a large music festival, I was skeptical about how much the kit would actually help. However, I also knew that the drug scene in Israel, like any country that prohibits the use of drugs, was a
On International Overdose Awareness Day, an Introduction and Call to Action
Written by Kevin Franciotti ’06, Alumni Association Blog Author Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day of great significance for many in the SSDP Family. As your new Alumni Association Blog Author, I have chosen this important day to contribute my first blog post and write about my personal experience. It’s not often I’m able to be so forthcoming
From donor to chapter leader to board member to community health worker
I first found out about Students for Sensible Drug Policy in 2013 when I was only beginning to learn about the harsh realities of the War on Drugs. I decided to donate what I could at the time because I thought the work they were doing was so important and I did not see other student-run organizations that were willing
Drugs Reforms in Perspective of Public Health to Counter the Menace of Law Enforcement in Pakistan
Written by Wiqas Ahmad ’17, founder of SSDP Pakistan. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that Pakistan has 6.7 million drug users. More than four million of them are people with a substance use disorder, amongst the highest number for any country in the world. Misuse of cannabis and heroin is so rife that experts say
How SSDP helped me connect the dots
Like most college students, I spent my early years trying to find my place. I changed majors, schools, and longed to find my identity. In spring of 2015, I found a place within SSDP. When I walked into my first meeting at the University of Rhode Island, I instantly felt connected with those surrounding me. I phonebanked for cannabis legalization
Finding my passion for harm reduction
In high school, I dated someone who I thought was going to be my soulmate for almost 4 years. After watching his life change due to his chaotic relationship with opiates, and knowing I would never be able to help him, I became inspired to go to college and become a therapist specializing in substance use disorders. During and after
