This presentation gives a general overview of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (created 2009)

1. Students for Sensible drug Policy

2. Mission Statement Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an international grassroots network of students who are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities, but who also know that the War on Drugs is failing our generation and our society.SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and youth.

3. Values Statement Students for Sensible Drug Policy neither encourages nor condemns drug use. Rather, we seek to reduce the harms caused by drug abuse and drug policies. As young people, we strive toward a just and compassionate society where drug abuse is treated as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue. We recognize that the very real harms of drug abuse are not adequately addressed by current policies and we advocate measures that would effectively help those who develop drug problems. Yet, we also believe that individuals must ultimately be allowed to make decisions for themselves as long as their actions do not infringe upon anyone else’s freedoms or safety.

4. Where is SSDP? On nearly 200 College Campuses In: United States Canada United Kingdom Australia Recent Expansion to Latin America Nigeria

5. What Does an SSDP Chapter Do? Promote discussion in the community about drug policy reform by: Hosting debates and discussion forums Bringing speakers from other organizations Screening documentaries on campus Changing Policies Lobby your representatives on issues and legislation that your chapter cares about Change policies on your campus

6. SSDP Campaigns Repeal the HEA Aid Elimination Penalty Enact Good Samaritan Policies on College Campuses Campus Change Campaign Student Drug Testing Influencing the Obama Administration Influencing Global Drug Policy Drug Education Lowering the Drinking Age

7. Campus Change Campaign Dorm Eviction Policies Dorm Privacy Good Samaritan/Medical Amnesty Policies Judicial Processes on Campus Law Enforcement Involvement in Policing Campus Drug Policy Marijuana/Alcohol Penalty Equalization (SAFER Initiatives) Off-Campus Jurisdiction For Drug Policies Parental Notification Policies Designated Drive/Safe Ride Programs Suspension and Expulsion Policies Harm Reduction Education Treatment and Prevention Accessibility and Funding

8. What is The War on Drugs? In 1969 Richard Nixon first used the term “War on Drugs.” It is a prohibition campaign undertaken by the US government with the assistance of participating countries, intended to reduce the illegal drug trade – to curb supply and diminish demand for specific psychoactive substances deemed immoral, harmful, dangerous, or undesirable.

9. What is Wrong With the War on Drugs? In federal prisons, 55% of inmates are incarcerated on drug offenses. The U.S. has 5% of the world’s population but houses 25% of the world’s prisoners. More than $50 Billion is spent every year on the failed “War on Drugs.”

11. Last year, $60 million was spent last year on the ONDCP Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign (the marijuana commercials with talking dogs and aliens)

13. Racism and the Drug War African Americans comprise nearly 13% of the population, and about 13% of drug users. In contrast they make up37%of those arrested, 53%of those convicted, and67%of those sent to jail for drug offenses.

14. U.S. Incarceration Rates for White Men 773 per 100,000

15. U.S. Incarceration Rates for Hispanic Men 1,747 per 100,000

16. U.S. Incarceration Rates for African American Men 4,618 per 100,000

17. The drug war Isn’t working According to the United Nations, profits in illegal drugs are so inflated that three-quarters of all drug shipments would have to be intercepted to seriously reduce the profitability of the business. Current efforts only intercept 13% of heroin shipments and 28%-40% of cocaine shipments.

18. The drug war Isn’t working Drugs Are Purer and Cheaper Than Ever Before: "In summary, prices for powder cocaine, crack, and heroin declined sharply in the 1980s and have declined more gradually since then, with periodic interruptions by modest price spikes that have usually persisted for a year or less.” The average purity of heroin on the US market increased in that time as well, going at the retail level from an average of 11% in 1981 to an average 32% in 2003, and at the wholesale level from an average 12% in 1981 to an average 46% in 2003.

19. We Can Change This! By joining SSDP you’ll learn how to create change right before your eyes. Learn skills like public speaking, community organizing, working with the media, and running campaigns. Learn how lobby your representatives. SSDP chapters have been successful in changing campus, local, and state policies. Your chapter could be next!

20. SSDP accomplishments Lobbied successfully to remove the “reach back” effect of the HEA Aid Elimination Penalty. Helped pass Medical Marijuana laws in states like Rhode Island and Michigan. Enacted Good Samaritan Policies on 15 college campuses. Helped decriminalize marijuana in Massachusetts and Columbia, MO. Won a FOIA suit against the Department of Education. Filed an amicus brief in the famous“Bong Hits for Jesus” case resulting in protection of free speech for students who discuss drug policy reform in school.

21. SSDP conferences SSDP hosts regional and international conferences each year featuring: Drug Policy Education You’ll learn about many different areas of drug policy including marijuana laws, harm reduction, international policies, interdiction and more, all from most trusted experts in their fields. Activism Workshops Attend interactive workshops teaching you essential activism skills like working with the media, organizing an event, running a successful campaign and fundraising - just to name a few. Scholarships SSDP even offers travel and lodging scholarships to make sure that you’re able to attend!

22. 2008 SSDP Conference November 21-23, 2008 Washington, D.C.

24. SSDP Conference 2011,you’re invited! Mark your calendars. Apply for student group funding Make travel arrangements. Make a scholarship video! ssdp.org/training/rsvp March 17-19, University of Maryland, College Park & Lobby Day in Washington, DC

25. helpful links www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com - SSDP www.drugwarfacts.org - Just the facts www.drugpolicy.org - The Drug Policy Alliance www.mpp.org - The Marijuana Policy Project www.askleap.org - Cops Say Legalize Drugs www.maps.org - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies www.ONDCP.gov - Office of National Drug Control Policy www.norml.org - NORML www.famm.org - Families Against Mandatory Minimums