Tag: harm reduction
The Case for Descheduling Drugs: From Cannabis to Heroin
Recently, President Biden asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services to “initiate the administrative process to review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.” The announcement was a welcomed change by many federal cannabis activists, who are calling for the descheduling of cannabis through this review. In order to truly understand why we must deschedule marijuana, it’s important
Students Urge the Biden Administration to Center Harm Reduction in the Methamphetamine Response Plan of 2021
President Bident recently signed the “Methamphetamine Response Act of 2021” into effect, naming methamphetamine as an “emerging drug threat” and directing the Office of National Drug Control (ONDCP) to implement a Methamphetamine Response Plan within 90 days of the signing of the bill. While we are concerned that this law is now targeting people who use methamphetamine with outdated prohibitionist
Students partner with testing manufacturer to provide free harm reduction tools to youth
Luis Montoya luis@ssdp.org Cameron Scally Cameron@dosetest.com March 28, 2022— Students for Sensible Drug Policy and DoseTest are partnering to expand access to drug checking kits and drug checking services for young people who use drugs and their peers across the United States. The partnership was borne out of a mutual desire to make these potentially life saving harm reduction tools
Panel: Drug Legalization as a Public Health Measure
Every year, there are more than 1.5 million drug arrests in the United States. More than 80% of these arrests are for possession only. Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have already decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, and some are exploring the merits of decriminalizing other drugs. While drug decriminalization is a step in the right
Missoula SSDP successfully pressures Administration to protect student health and safety
The University of Montana SSDP chapter (Missoula SSDP) had a major win in September of 2020 when a unanimous decision to adopt their proposed medical amnesty policy was announced by their Student Government, which was the beginning of their efforts to bring medical amnesty protections on campus. I had the opportunity to speak to Vice President and Treasurer Michael Layeux
WAKE FOREST SCHOOL OF MEDICINE STUDENTS FOR SENSIBLE DRUG POLICY SUCCESSFULLY BANS THE BOX ON THEIR SCHOOL APPLICATION
Interview with Lindsey Galbo, Wake Forest SOM SSDP Chapter President Lindsey Galbo ‘19 is the Founder and President of the Wake Forest School of Medicine Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapter. Lindsey and the rest of the Wake Forest SOM chapter have focused primarily on the intersection of harm reduction, scientific research, education, and policy change. They’ve worked with local
SSDP and Fireside Project announce collaboration
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
Statement on Biden Harris First Year Drug Policy Priorities
While we support expanding access to treatment and reducing barriers to young people who are seeking treatment, there are no steps being taken to support YPWUD that do not want to and will not stop using drugs. The administration’s approach to youth drug use does not align with their explicit commitment to “promot[e] harm reduction efforts.”
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
