Meet the 3 newest SSDP chapters!

We're proud to welcome new officially established SSDP chapters at Louisiana State University - Shreveport, University of Houston - Clear Lake, and University of Pittsburgh this week! Read more about each new group and the student leaders who founded them.

Louisiana State University - Shreveport

Shreveport, LA - Southern Region

The LSUS Student News covered the newly created chapter, watch an excerpt of the video report here.

Rachal Cox learned about SSDP from friends who are involved in one of our strongest chapters at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. Currently, LSUS is our only active chapter in Louisiana, and they've quickly gotten things up and running in just a few short weeks.

University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TX - Southern Region

Klaire Moss found SSDP online last summer and was interested in developing her skills as an activist. Using the resources we have available, she gathered other interested students and went through the school's process for creating a new student organization. This new chapter makes 2 in the city of Houston, TX, joining the University of Houston as strong voices for reform in the south.

University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA - Northeast Region

Julia Johnson and the other students at UPitt have been working on establishing their chapter since last semester, and just received official student group recognition last week! They've already begun to work with the local NORML chapter on marijuana policy related events. Also, UPitt SSDP will be tabling at this Bassnectar show as part of our AMPLIFY project. Be sure to stop by!

What they're saying about our conference...

SSDP's 2011 Training Conference & Lobby Day was an inspiring event that spoke volumes to the organization's pivotal role in the effort to bring common sense to drug policy. More than 400 students from all over the country came together not just to learn about policy, but to gain the tools needed to become effective activists who are prepared to take on the challenges and opportunities facing us over the next two years. All told, we had students from 28 states and the District of Columbia representing 78 high schools, colleges, and universities across the U.S. in attendance last weekend!

We've surveyed some of our attendees and asked what they learned from this three day event and how it has impacted them. Here's what they're saying:

I learned a lot of information ranging everywhere from how to properly advertise our club and how to handle and question politicians. As a newer member of SSDP the breakout sessions regarding chapter management and events were especially useful and taught me a lot of lessons that I was able to take home.

- Kyle Seewald, Michigan State University

I can't even begin to explain how much I learned at the conference. I am a freshman and have little to no experience on lobbying for drug policy and keeping my chapter going. Before this conference I was really worried about keeping my chapter going once all of our seniors left, but now I feel completely prepared. I learned how to professionally lobby, how to keep the reputation of our club clean and professional, how to recruit and keep members, how to successfully advertise for events and meetings, and most importantly I developed strong bonds with other chapter leaders in Florida which will help when we all need to get together to lobby for the new Florida Medical Marijuana Bill. All together an amazing experience!!

- Mallory Wharton, Florida State University

I now have a better idea of how to run the SSDP chapter at Washington State University, as well as how to effectively advocate for sensible drug policies. I'm going to look up my schools policies on drugs and begin a campaign to change the ones that aren't sensible.

- Charles Rollins, Washington State University

I learned a great deal more about lobbying and how to approach elected officials. In addition I came back with so many great ideas for our chapter. The rest of our semester is going to be full of inspiration that we took from the conference. Seeing all of these amazing activists also inspired us to do even more and to really push our fight through.

- Josh Merer, West Chester University

I learned how to network (and did a lot of it, too!). Also, the workshops helped me get a grasp on how to effectively organize events that combine working to change policy (the point of the club) with campus outreach/student involvement/campus education (my officer position). On a personal level, I was really moved to continue working for the cause. Seeing so many people excited about drug policy reform made me realize that true change is right around the corner!

- Rose Bono, Virgina Commonwealth University

This conference was my third international conference, and each one is better than the last. Thank you so much to the national staff for all their hard work.

- Chris Wallis, Kent State University

SSDP has directed my rebelliousness into action, my indifference into desire for good. SSDP has thrown my life in a completely different direction with the connections to make all my dreams come true. Changed my values from wanting to be just another criminal lawyer to a position where I can cause change and do the research necessary to find the right solutions. SSDP has connected me with bright minds and more scholarly possibilities than I could have ever expected and given me the ability to develop the leadership I needed to succeed.

- Axel Bilbao, University of Central Florida

I absolutely loved the conference. The amazing energy and bond between everyone in attendance was unbelievable and a new experience for me. All of the people I met were wonderful, and it was incredible to share time with so many amazing people, including the staff who organized the event. Attending the SSDP conference has solidified my desire to attend future conferences, including the DPA conference in November. Thank you to everyone who made it one of the experiences of my life!
- Jurriaan van den Hurk, Virgina Commonwealth University

I would like to sincerely express my appreciation for everyone who contributed to the conference. One of the things that makes me passionate about our organization is that each of us have our own characteristics that make us unique and stand out from one another, although we find common beliefs and influences that help us stand together for common goals and aspirations. It truly was an unforgettable experience that will have an everlasting impression on not only our professional perspectives but interpersonal as well. If we don't stand up for injustice, who will?

- Jason Malonson, Northwest Arkansas Community College

Help support the amazing work of these chapters by making a donation today.

Meet the leaders of our 3 newest chapters

Announcing the latest additions to SSDP's chapter network; we're proud to add the following three new chapters to the map!

• Daytona State College - Daytona Beach, FL (Southern Region)
  When Patrick Moo called our office for the first time at the beginning of December, he was already ahead of the game. He was already in the process of starting a chapter at Daytona, had recruited several interested students and had gained the support of a faculty member! The chapter has already begun collecting petitions to get medical marijuana on the Florida ballot in 2012.
  

• Rowan University - Glassboro, NJ (Northeast Region)
  Phil Simmons discovered us when he was calling California voters to support Proposition 19 using Just Say Now's phonebank tool, and decided to establish a chapter at Rowan. In an effort to begin building coalitions on campus, he has reached out to several other school clubs who are willing to give the chapter a few minutes to speak about SSDP at the beginning of their meetings. Now that they've gained official recognition this week, Rowan SSDP has hit the ground running and have several events and campaigns lined up for the semester.
  

• Radford University - Radford, VA (Mid-Atlantic Region)
  Dave Campanella informally stumbled across an SSDP chapter about a year ago at West Virginia University where he was an undergraduate. Last fall he begun his time at Radford pursuing a masters degree in criminal justice, and is writing his thesis on drug policy issues. Andrew Fernandez heard about SSDP from his brother who currently leads our George Mason University chapter! As a former RA on campus, he knows that Radford is one of those "call the cops when you smell the tinest amount of marijuana" type of schools, so the chapter will be bringing attention to the issue.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is active across the United States with official chapters at over 150 high schools, colleges, universities, graduate & law schools. Visit our website to join or start one at your school today, and to access our activist resources including our comprehensive Student Organizing Manual.

Announcing 3 new official SSDP chapters!

We're proud to announce three newly established SSDP chapters this week, making them the first additions to our chapter network in 2011! As we officially welcome University of Akron, Central Washington University & University of Florida by adding them to the map, we'd also like to take this opportunity to tell you about the students who stepped up to lead the student drug policy reform movement at their school by founding an SSDP chapter.

University of Akron - Akron, OH (Midwest Region)
Anthony Burrows has been working to establish an SSDP chapter at U of A for almost exactly a year! In January 2010, he came across our website while searching for organizations whose missions are focused on ending the war on drugs. He was faced with obstacle after obstacle in his quest to establish an active SSDP chapter at U of A, navigating through administrative red tape for much of the Fall 2010 semester, but he wasn't going to let a little bureaucracy stop him. Finally, last week, Anthony received word from his school administration that his student organization recognition request has been approved!

Central Washington University - Ellensburg, WA (Western Region)
Brian Grimmer discovered SSDP in October of last year while researching medical marijuana policies for Washington state college campuses. Now that the CWU SSDP chapter is up and running, he hopes to establish a campus medical marijuana policy that would provide protection for students who are medical cannabis patients.

University of Florida - Gainesville, FL (Southern Region)
Chase Corbin got connected to us in November when he was looking for drug policy internship opportunities, he noticed SSDP was mentioned on the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) websites and decided to check us out. Chase hopes to make an impact on campus with his chapter by facilitating professional and evidence based discussions about drug policy. Currently a University Scholar at UF majoring in philosophy & economics, he hopes to attend law school then pursue a career in drug policy reform after completing his studies as an undergrad.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is active across the United States with official chapters at over 150 high schools, colleges, universities, graduate & law schools. Visit our website to join or start one at your school today, and to access our activist resources including our comprehensive Student Organizing Manual.