David Borden, Executive Director

David Borden is founder and Executive Director of StoptheDrugWar.org: the Drug Reform Coordination Network. Borden played the leading role in pioneering use of the Internet for education and organizing in drug policy reform after founding DRCNet in late 1993. Since 2000 he has overseen DRCNet's work on the Higher Education Act Reform Campaign, an effort to repeal a federal law that denies students financial aid because of drug convictions, and he has initiated programs including the John W. Perry Fund scholarship program and the Out from the Shadows international conference series. In August 2003, Borden sent an open letter to the District of Columbia's chief judge, Rufus G. King, explaining his decision to refuse to report for jury service as a protest of the drug war, an action which was covered by the Washington Post. Borden has written over 160 editorials on drug policy, and publishes DRCNet's Prohibition in the Media blog. He earned an A.B. with honors in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University in 1988, and completed an M.M. in Jazz Composition from New England Conservatory in 1990. He is a native of Englewood, New Jersey, one of the first communities in the state to achieve racial integration in its school system. Borden is also a member of the Boards of Directors of Common Sense for Drug Policy, the Flex Your Rights Foundation and the International Anti-Prohibitionist League, and of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy Council of Advisors.

David A. Guard, Associate Director

David A. Guard, DRCNet's Associate Director, is a graduate of Gettysburg College (B.A. in Political Science, 1993) and The American University (Master of Public Policy, 1999). His career interest in drug policy reform developed during his graduate studies in courses at the Department of Justice, Law and Society within AU's renowned School of Public Affairs, particularly while under the tutelage of Professor Arnold Trebach, Esq., founder of the Drug Policy Foundation. Prior to joining DRCNet's staff, he was Project Manager at The Criminal Justice Policy Foundation where he worked closely with Eric E. Sterling, Esq. Guard is a member of the Board of Directors of Flex Your Rights Foundation and is a member of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy Council of Advisors.

Scott R. Morgan, Coordinator, Blogosphere Project

Scott R. Morgan is a graduate of Guilford College (B.S. in Criminal Justice, 2003) where he received Senior Honors in the Justice and Policy Studies Department. While at Guilford, he assistant taught JPS 450: Drugs, Crime, and Criminal Justice, and served as a Judicial Advocate for the college Judicial Board, frequently representing students charged with substance abuse violations on campus. Prior to joining DRCNet's staff, he completed internships with the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation and the Flex Your Rights Foundation, and he also currently works at Flex Your Rights.

Phillip S. Smith, Writer/Editor

Phillip S. Smith is a graduate of the University of South Dakota (BA Political Science, 1979) and the University of Texas at Austin (MA Latin American Studies, 1989), and served as writer and Associate Editor at the magazine Covert Action Quarterly from 1993-1996. Phil has done freelance reporting on Central American and Mexico since the 1980s, and has had articles published in In These Times, Guardian (now defunct), New Politics and many other publications. He is also a long time drug policy activist, having helped to found one of the first NORML chapters in the state of South Dakota. He has been involved in local drug reform efforts in Austin, TX and Washington, DC, including the DC Metro chapter of NORML.

Kalif J. Mathieu, Intern

Kalif J. Mathieu is a junior at Alma College in Michigan dual majoring in Political Science and English. His interest in pursuing drug policy reform stems from a laissez-faire home-school education and exposure to gross injustices exacted in the name of the drug war on classmates and friends. He is currently enrolled in the American University Washington Semester Program of Peace and Conflict Resolution, studying cases of intrastate social conflict around the world.

Amanda Brooke Shaffer, Intern

Amanda Brooke Shaffer is a junior at the University of Michigan pursuing a double major in Political Science and Sociology with a sub-concentration in Law, Criminology, and Deviance. She is currently in the Michigan in Washington program which selects 25 students from Ann Arbor to take classes and intern in Washington, DC. Amanda is a member of the Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, Chi Chapter at the University of Michigan. She also interned at the Department of Homeless Services in New York City last summer. Amanda became interested in Drug Policy after reading the book “History of Cocaine” and learning the about the failed drug war in college. Currently she is finishing up an independent study on medical marijuana in California and its impact on political and social change. Amanda plans on attending law school upon completion of her undergraduate degree.

Shane G. Trejo, Intern

Shane G. Trejo is a junior attending Ferris State University. He became interested in drug policy reform after being introduced to libertarian philosophies. He has seen many colleagues whose lives have been greatly affected by the criminal justice system due to non-violent drug offenses. Shane was a founding member and Vice President of the Ferris State Coalition for Liberty, a political group focused on promoting civil liberties and civic engagement amongst college students. He is expecting to graduate in May '09 with a B.S. in Journalism and Technical and Professional Communication.

Jenifer Van Nortwick, Intern

Jenifer Van Nortwick is a sophomore at The American University in Washington, D.C. where she is an International Relations and Affairs and pre-law major. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as well as the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society. Her interest in foreign and domestic drug policy began in high school while studying Plan Colombia in model O.A.S. (Organization of America States) and was heightened her freshman year while studying world politics.

Eric Wilhelm, Intern

Eric Wilhelm is a junior at Oberlin College (on leave this semester) majoring in Politics and minoring in Psychology and History. His interest in drug policy reform developed while working with Fed Up!, a prisoner support organization, where he gained first-hand knowledge of some of the negative effects of drug prohibition and the unequal justice offered to various victims of the War on Drugs. Eric has conducted research for Representative Marcy Kaptur (D - OH) and serves as the Organizer and Treasurer in the Oberlin Peace Activist League.