Tag: War on Drugs
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,
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
Today is your last chance to double your gift
Today is the last chance for gifts made to Students for Sensible Drug Policy to be doubled this year. 2020 is almost over, and I’m sure you’re as excited as I am to head into 2021. This year was filled with enormous challenges and tragedy. We’ve witnessed death and devastation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global civil unrest and upheaval,
SSDP Statement on Breonna Taylor
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is enraged and disturbed over the decision made by the grand jury in the murder of Breonna Taylor to indict just one out of three officers involved with charges that were unrelated to her death. However, we are not surprised. The system that killed Breonna Taylor refuses to hold itself accountable time and time again.
Updates from the 62nd Reconvened Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and How You Can Get Involved!
Written by Orsi Fehér ’16, SSDP’s European Global Fellow SSDP’s delegation to the 62nd reconvened session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) featured Jessica Steinberg from Oxford University, Panagiotis Sevris from SSDP Vienna, and Orsi Fehér, SSDP’s Global Fellow. While the session itself mainly dealt with administration and budgetary discussion and, as such, didn’t contain as much excitement as
We deserve MORE!
Historic legislation centers justice in cannabis reformToday, Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced groundbreaking companion legislation in the United States House of Representatives and Senate to address the state-federal conflict in marijuana laws by removing marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act and establishing cannabis as a legal product which may be regulated by the states.
Examining Privilege and Understanding Intersectionality
September/October Monthly Mosaic CONTRIBUTIONS Each Monthly Mosaic is edited by Elise Szabo and Kat Murti. This issue also features contributions by Alex Akin, Robert Hofmann, Arturo Lua Castillo, and Dr. Vilmarie Fraguada Narloch. TAKE ACTION Do an SSDP DARE and add your points on the SSDP Chapter Activity Tracker! Share this Monthly Mosaic on Facebook or Twitter using #MonthlyMosaic.
January 2017 Monthly Mosaic: Immigration and the War on Drugs
IMMIGRATION AND THE WAR ON DRUGS Simple drug use or possession, particularly of marijuana, is one of the most common reasons that people are criminalized in the United States. In some cases, individuals with drug charges are even asked to leave the United States. This is how the War on Drugs disenfranchises immigrants. Drug laws passed in the 1980s and
What Prohibition Has Taught Us
This article was originally published at The Libertarian. This past Friday marked the anniversary of national alcohol prohibition. Prohibition would have been 94 years old on January 17th; the 18th Amendment first went into effect on that date in 1920. The state of Georgia had tried alcohol prohibition as early as the 18th century, and wisely abandoned it after finding
SSDP Welcomes the University of North Georgia Chapter
Our network of student activists is constantly growing, and I’m excited to announce our most recent addition! Based in Oakwood, Georgia, the University of North Georgia is home to our newest official chapter! I interviewed chapter founder and leader Jeremy Sharp about their experience so far and their plans for moving forward; How did you hear about SSDP? Initially I was
Mandatory Minimum Sentences: on Their Way Out?
This article was originally published at http://the-libertarian.co.uk/ The United States may be approaching a turning point in one of the many failed policies involved in the War on Drugs. Hearings were held in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on September 18th concerning a bill which would significantly reform sentencing in the criminal justice system. The Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013,
The War on Drugs is a War on People
Written by Jess Cochrane This article also appears on http://witness4peace.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-war-on-drugs-is-war-on-people_11.html Ask any well-informed policy wonk in the U.S. what they think about drug policy, and they’re likely to tell you what is quickly becoming mainstream opinion: that our nation’s approach to drug policy has failed. Surely, there are many examples that prove that the U.S. policy of prohibition has done
SSDP Welcomes the Kansas State University Chapter!
I am so excited to announce the formation of our newest official chapter: Kansas State University! I spoke with Derek Varchulik, chapter founder and leader, and Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, about his experience building the chapter and his plans for moving forward; How did you hear about SSDP? I was doing some research for a paper and I
New Comic Illustrates the "war on drugs"
Based in Brisbane, Australia, artist Stuart McMillen uses the medium of comics to explore serious issues with a unique perspective and a sense of fun. Check out his recent rendition of the “war on drugs”, which tells the story of alcohol prohibition and how it relates to drug prohibition today, illustrated in graphic novel form. Read the full comic here: http://www.stuartmcmillen.com/comics_en/war-on-drugs/
The Financial Toll of the Drug War (Infographic)
All data is provided by Clarity Way. Infographic by Clarity Way
The "War on Drugs" Turns 40 (Infographic)
The Economics of the Drug Trade and War on Drugs (Infographic)
Drug war related deaths top 45,000 in Mexico
On January 11, 2012, the Mexican Attorney Generals Office (AGO) released the latest casualty figures in the government’s war against organized criminal groups. The AGO confirmed that there have been 47, 515 drug related killings since December 2006—when President Calderon gave the military full rein to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. To put this in perspective, in Afghanistan, there
Survey on Insecurity and Drug Policy in Mexico
In late November 2011, the results from the 9th survey on Mexican Citizens Perceptions of Insecurity was released. This survey is conducted by Mitofsky Consulting, a U.S. based firm, and highlighted a series of questions regarding how to combat organized crime and the so-called war on drugs. When asked whether they believed Mexican President Felipe Calderon would win the war against organized crime,
U.S.-Mexico Railroads Face Heavy, Illogical Fines
Over the past three years, the U.S. War on Drugs has brought $400 million in fines to rail shippers on the U.S.-Mexican border. Now, The Associated Press reports, the largest U.S. railroad company Union Pacific is refusing to pay for something it cannot control. Following accusations of negligence from the Justice Department, Union Pacific vice president Bob Grimaila says the railroad cannot
Update from the Green Room at NBC News in Washington, D.C.
I shot this video blog clip with my cell phone from inside the green room at NBC News on Capitol Hill right before I appeared on CNBC. I thought you may be interested to see what it looks like inside. Keep checking back here for video blog updates during this week of events highlighting the 40th anniversary of President Nixon declaring
Update from (Near) The White House, Pt. I
See this update on what we’re up to during this historic week!
Russia's Draconian Tactics Aimed at Drug Users
“A total war on drugs” was just announced by the Speaker of the Russian Duma, Boris Gryzlov. The Guardian reports that Gryzlov, a close ally of Prime Minister Putin, wants drug dealers “treated like serial killers.” The hard-line, criminal justice approach flies in the face of recent suggestions to treat drug use as a public health issue. The Russian Government immediately dismissed the suggestion last week
40th Anniversary of the War on Drugs – Candlelight Vigils
Friday, June 17, 2011, marks the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s declaration of the “war on drugs.” His decision catapulted the U.S. into a wasteful, decades-long, failed effort that has had zero impact on drug consumption in the U.S., but has had profound negative impacts on communities in the U.S. and around the world, and on communities of color in particular. Students
