Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is a Washington, DC-based non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1998 by a small group of students, including Shawn Heller of George Washington University, David Epstein of American University, and Kris Lotlikar. According to SSDP's mission and value statements, the organization neither encourages nor condemns drug use. Rather, by involving the American youth (the self proclaimed D.A.R.E generation) in the political process, they are committed to providing education on harms caused by the War on Drugs and promoting an open, honest, and rational discussion on alternative solutions to U.S. drug problems. SSDP seeks to overturn drug policies that impede young people's access to education.

SSDP functions through chapters in U.S. high schools and colleges promoting student and teacher activism for sensible change in American attitudes towards drug abuse and drug policies. As of May 2005, there are over 115 chapters in the United States.

SSDP was founded around the issue of the drug provision in the Higher Education Act, which denies federal financial aid to students with drug convictions. Since then, the organization has expanded its scope to include other controversial elements of drug policy like drug testing and student privacy rights, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration, harm reduction, and addressing the lack of objective drug education and scientific research. Some chapters also focus on international drug policy issues like Plan Colombia.

Since January 2006, Kris Krane has served as SSDP's executive director. Tom Angell is campaigns director, Micah Daigle is field director, Brandy Doyle is publications coordinator, and Morgan Lesko is webmaster. SSDP is currently without a legislative director.

External links

Political advocacy groups in the United States | Drugs

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See also

External links