If you are interested in sponsoring our newsletter, web site or organization, please contact David Borden at [email protected], or visit http://stopthedrugwar.org/sponsorship for further information.
|
Announcement
Sponsor Announcement: Join Us at the Cannabis Business Summit and Register Today!
A Historic Day at the UN
Last month we sent some emails to our list and posted here about our new campaign to take on international drug policy reform, including but not limited to reform of the UN drug treaties. The first stage of this effort has reached a successful culmination. Two days ago we released a sign-on statement endorsed by more than 100 organizations including some major ones, calling for big changes to how the US and UN do business in drug policy, and for the process of reforming the UN drug treaties to be initiated.
Right now at the UN General Assembly in New York, the "High Level Thematic Debate" on drugs that we've written is unfolding -- a live webcast (and probably an archive later) can be accessed here, and The CND Blog is doing live updates throughout the day here. It has already been historic. Jamaica's minister of justice, Mark Golding, called for a Committee of Experts to be appointed by the UN to study how to accomplish treaty reform, the central ask of our statement, and other countries backed this up with calls for moving to regulation and control instead of drug prohibition and the right of countries to do that.
At 1:30, many of us will gather in front of the UN to protest the recent executions by Indonesia of several people convicted of nonviolent drug crimes. We are wearing black ribbons. Many countries' speakers today have condemned the death penalty for nonviolent and drug offenses as a violation of the human rights treaties. Notably, many countries have also called for the criminalization of drug users to be ended as well.
Our work is making a difference in this hopeful process of change that is now unfolding, and we need your support to continue it. Would you be willing to make a donation now to help us take at least this first step? Donations to our tax-deductible nonprofit, DRCNet Foundation, and our non-deductible lobbying nonprofit, Drug Reform Coordination Network, both can be put toward this project and support the needs of this campaign. Visit http://stopthedrugwar.org/donate to donate by credit card or PayPal, or send your check or money order (made out to one of the two names listed above) to P.O. 9853, Washington, DC 20016.
We can also accept donations of stock; the information to give your brokerage is Ameritrade, (800) 669-3900), DTC #0188, and account number 781926492 for tax-deductible gifts to DRCNet Foundation or 864663500 for non-deductible gifts to Drug Reform Coordination Network -- please contact us if you are donating this way.
We'd also still like to hear from organizations that might like to endorse our sign-on statement or get involved in the campaign in other ways. You can write to us here.
Organizational Participation Sought for the UNGASS 2016 Global Civil Society Survey
It's important to get a good set of responses from organizations in the US, especially harm reduction and reform groups, as we too infrequently are involved in UN matters. Harm Reduction Coalition has been heavily involved in the formation of the Civil Society Task Force (CSTF) and the New York NGO Committee on Drugs (NYNGOC).
Click here to complete the survey. It should take no longer than 30 minutes. Please submit only one response per organization, and please note that the survey is only for organizations. Completion of the survey will provide the CSTF with invaluable information to that is essential for UNGASS preparation and beyond, so please forward widely.
Survey responses are due by July 31st. Input is confidential and any identifying information is solely for the CSTF's record keeping. (HRC notes that if you get stuck on question 6, check NYNGOC.)
Telephone TownHall Meeting on Drug Education, with Dr. Carl Hart and the Drug Policy Alliance
A Telephone TownHall Meeting Hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance, Thursday, May 14, 1:00-2:00pm EST
Featuring: Dr. Carl Hart, Associated Professor, Columbia University and Research Scientist, New York State Psychiatric Institute, in conversation with asha bandele, Director Advocacy Grants Program, Drug Policy Alliance.
Visit http://bit.ly/DrCarlHart to RSVP. Space is limited. Audience participation is encouraged.
Scholarships Available for 2015 International Drug Policy Reform Conference
The International Drug Policy Reform Conference is a biennial event that brings together people from around the world who believe that the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. It brings together over 1,000 attendees representing 30 different countries.
This year attendees will have the opportunity to spend three days interacting with people committed to finding alternatives to the war on drugs while participating in sessions given by leading experts from around the world. Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this event.
Visit http://www.reformconference.org to learn more about the Reform Conference.
Help Track Candidates' Positions on "Vote For Marijuana" Web Site
Vote For Marijuana's goal (and ours) is to enable any voter to see all the local politicians running for (and holding) office, and what each politician has said and done about ending or continuing marijuana prohibition and its parts. For that we need activists from each state to help.
Visit http://www.voteformarijuana.net/getinvolved to learn how to become a Vote For Marijuana moderator in your home state, or just check out the front end and see what the system already knows about your local politicians!
Two Important Conferences in DC and Baltimore
The SSDP conference will feature keynote speakers and panels addressing the hottest topics in drug policy, harm reduction, leadership, organizing, and advocacy. The conference will also feature an awards ceremony, lobby day, SSDP alumni gathering, the annual Congress at which student leaders shape the organization's future, and more. Visit http://ssdp.org/events/2014-conference-lobby-day/ for information or to register.
The second event is "Crossroads & Intersections: the 10th National Harm Reduction Conference," taking place up the road in Baltimore, Maryland, from October 23-26. This biennial gathering, sponsored by the Harm Reduction Coalition has been a unique venue for those interested in understanding drug use, drug users and the philosophy and practice of harm reduction since 1996.
Some topics highlighted in the conference line-up include Opiate Overdose Prevention, User-to-User Interventions, Syringe Access, Methadone and Burprenorphine, Improving Drug Treatment Outcomes, Global Harm Reduction Efforts, Challenging Drug User Stigma, and more. In what I think is a first, the recently-appointed director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Michael Botticelli, will deliver the conference's opening keynote. Visit the conference web site at http://harmreduction.org/conference/.
Summer Reading Assignment for Congress
Phil reviewed Dean's book last night.
I was also on Dean's radio show last week talking about my two new papers; check out the audio or transcript of the interview, which also featured Judge James P. Gray.
Hemp Industries Association Conference Coming to DC Next Week!
The 20th Annual Hemp Industries Association Conference will convene in Washington, DC this Sunday and Monday, Sunday and Monday, November 17-18, 2013, featuring expert speakers, a luncheon, hemp exhibits & sales, a silent auction, and an organized lobby day.
Visit http://thehia.org/2013conference.html for information or to register.
Missouri Cannabis Conference This Weekend!
Also click here for one of the (many) reasons this is important.
