Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is an international, student-run, grassroots, nonprofit organization of young people who believe that our current drug laws, campus drug policies, and drug education programs have failed us. We work to empower each other and our peers to create change in our communities and beyond, prioritizing human rights, public health, harm reduction and compassion above models that fuel mass incarceration, systemic racism, fear, and stigma.
Examples of "Sensible" drug policies include:
You can learn more about SSDP here.
Not quite! Although much of our work is focused around drug policy and drug education, we also discuss and work on topics such as criminal justice reform, police brutality and over-policing, civil liberties, racial injustice, mental health and mental healthcare, income inequality, ableism and accessibility, gender equality, and LGBTQIA+ justice.
We work to make sure our meetings are accessible and welcoming to the entire community, regardless of a persons individual relationship to drug use, as we believe that the War on Drugs is a War on Us, all of us. Regardless of if you've never used drugs, occasionally use alcohol or marijuana, regularly use drugs, or are in recovery, we value your ideas, input, and lived experience in our work to make the world a safer and more just place. If you have feedback or ideas to make our meetings and events more accessible and welcoming to you, please fill out our anonymous feedback form.
SSDP does not condone or condemn drug use. Rather than using "Just Say No" messaging, scare tactics, or arbitrary punishments, we believe that when the tools and resources necessary to make reasoned and informed decisions, individuals will make sensible choices that consider their personal health and well-being. This being said, we can not and do not tolerate illicit drug use at any SSDP-sanctioned events.
Oh yeah, you betcha! Hamline has a long relationship with SSDP, with the original chapter being active from 2008-2010, and the current chapter launching in September 2015. We've been going strong ever since.
Some of our accomplishments include:
Hamline SSDP has no formal membership, and involvement with our organization has no cost or commitment. If you want to get involved, stop by at an SSDP meeting or any of our events (found on our calendar). All our events and meetings are available to the general public, unless otherwise noted. If you can't make any of our events, but still want to get involved, please contact us, we'll find a way for you to help!