tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54733189475396989582024-03-14T03:29:24.367+00:00Students for Sensible Drug Policy UKStudents for Sensible Drug Policy UK is a national grassroots network of students and youth campaigning for evidence-based, humane and compassionate drug policies.Students for Sensible Drug Policy UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691755249299927002noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-29206291481541608312012-06-17T19:03:00.001+01:002012-06-17T19:03:54.756+01:00Open Letter to Nigel Farndale<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Wednesday 12th June the Telegraph published <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/9314600/Why-do-some-people-want-drugs-to-be-legal.html">this article</a> by journalist Nigel Fletcher entitled 'Why do some people want drugs to be legal?' </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The piece noted that the public debate advocating drug law reforms had escalated over the last twelve months, and was welcomed by many for bringing the issue to national attention at a time when issues such as the Eurozone crisis or Jubilee dominated headlines. However, the board felt there was an obligation to write to the Telegraph to knock back some of the spurious anti-reform arguments it put forward - the letter wasn't published on the paper's letters' page, but is shared here:</span><br />
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<i>Dear Sirs, </i></div>
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<i>We write as some of the people who want drugs to be 'legal' given that the illegality of using certain drugs neither prevents their use, nor protects wider society. </i></div>
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<i>While we welcome an article looking at the 'sea-change' taking place in the minds of policy makers about reform, it is still important to refute the straw men Mr Fletcher seems tiringly obliged to put forward.</i></div>
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<i>Cannabis available today is only about 2 and a half times stronger that that sold 40 years ago, as reported by the current Chair of the the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs in 2008 in a Home Office Technical Committee report. Dr Les Iverson then compated the difference in strength as 'that between beer and wine'; we believe most people are capable of recognising that ordering a pint of Merlot is a bad idea and acting accordingly. </i></div>
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<i>We find bizzare that prohibition should be defended on the basis addicts cannot make better choices for themselves, when the bald facts are the majority of recreational drugs users are not addicts, and that a black market for drugs does nothing to protect those made vulnerable by addiction. It is even more bizzare to mention the success of decriminalisation in Portugal in the same article that later suggests drug use would go up if drug use is decriminalised. </i></div>
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<i>Anne Widdecombe needs to look at research of use versus harsher penalties elsewhere in the world - there is no compelling evidence that this effectively reduces use. Her conclusions seem to stem from her concerns about what she feels are appropriate behaviour - which we feel she has a right to express but not irrationally enshrine in law to the cost of the taxpayer and our already creaking legal and penal systems. </i></div>
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<i>Finally, the quotes from Theodore Dalrymple reveal the lack of research on the part of the writer, as Dalrymple's central conclusion is that Opiates are relatively difficult to become addicted too, fatally undermining the article's conclusion that moderate heroin use cannot exist. Mr Fletcher needs to speak with fellow journalist Ben Goldacre who has written substantially and convincingly about both the increase in opiate addicted populations as a direct consequence of making Heroin a Class A drug, and how in post-WW1 era opiate addictions were successfully managed as a health problem between doctor and patient. </i></div>
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<i>In conclusion, we speak on behalf of young people whose faith in government and the press to legislate for their safety or speak truthfully about these issues is undermined every time yet another piece like this hits the news-stands.</i></div>
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<i>The Executive Board</i></div>
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<i>Students for Sensible Drugs Policy UK</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you would be interested in getting involved in SSDP UK's formal public responses to articles and Government inquiries please email <a href="mailto:katherine.bavage@ssdp.org.uk">katherine.bavage@ssdp.org.uk</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-44210180197448262942012-05-03T11:23:00.000+01:002012-05-03T11:36:49.105+01:00London Mayoral Candidates' Policies on Stop and Search.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today Londoners are going to the polls to elect a new Mayor. This May, the powers and responsibilities of the Mayoral office are going to greatly increase. One of the more influential roles to be given to the next Mayor of London will be that of the </span><a href="http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Police and Crime Commissioner</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. The rest of England and Wales will be directly electing Police Commissioners on the 15th of November. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The role of the Police and Crime commissioner is going to be very powerful. Whoever is elected will be responsible for setting policing priorities in their district and for holding the chief constable to account. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The possibility to campaign locally on policing issues provides an unprecedented opportunity for drug policy reformers and all other activists who are concerned about policing to influence the implementation of the law in this country. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is an opportunity citizens and residents to directly influence the implementation of drugs policy on a regional basis. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We are under no illusions that there is the danger of authoritarian and populist commissioners getting elected and we should be prepared to hold them to account.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As a non-partisan organisation, we do not favour one political party over another. However we will hold representatives who support repressive drug policies to account and praise those who take a more pragmatic approach. Whether the next Mayor of London is in favour of retaining or reducing stop and search, we will work with the London assembly to hold them to account.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">According to the </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/05/anger-police-fuelled-riots-study" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Guardian/LSE Reading the Riots study</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. There was widespread anger and frustration at the way police interact with communities. Those involved in the London riots were already 8 times more likely to be stopped and searched by the police. </span><a href="http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/03/labour-police-and-crime-commissioner-elections/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of the half a million ‘reasonable stop and searches carried out by Metropolitan Police last year, around 50% were for drugs, less than 10% for weapons</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Indeed the policing policy of the next Mayor of London will greatly impact on community cohesion in the capital and set the tone for which crimes are prioritised by the Met. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We have researched the Stop and Search policies of the various Mayoral candidates and here they are:</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Boris Johnson, Conservative Candidate.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b><a href="http://progressreport.backboris2012.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2008_Seniors_Manifesto_Boris_Johnson.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://progressreport.backboris2012.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/03/2008_Seniors_Manifesto_Boris_Johnson.pdf</span></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We also need to look at stop and search. It is well known that this form-filling is time consuming and keeps police officers off the streets. Stop and searches should still be recorded by an officer, who will radio in essential details of the search – thereby allowing them to be recorded without the extra burden of having to fill in a form at the scene and a further form back at the station.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Comment:</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No mention of reducing stop and search. He wants to reduce paper work involved in recording stop and search.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ken Livingstone, Labour Party Candidate.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">p12 Crime and policing manifesto</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Community led policing and a force that looks like London</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I will work with the Police Commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, to continue his good work and that of his predecessors in creating a police force that looks more like London and is open to all of the Capital’s talents.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the aftermath of the long-overdue conviction of two of Stephen Lawrence’s murderers we can reflect that policing has come a long way since the MacPherson report identified institutionalised racism. But as Doreen Lawrence observed after the trial: “The fact is that racism and racist attacks are still happening in this country and the police should not use my son’s name to say that we can move on”. That is why I particularly welcome the review into stop-and-search announced by the Commissioner. Current practice is wasteful and counterproductive, with an arrest rate of only six in one hundred people stopped, and an even lower conviction rate. It has disproportionately targeted young black and Asian men, most of whom were not engaged in criminal activity and, therefore, risked alienating entire communities.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In favour of ending blanket stop and search.</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Earlier on in the campaign, SSDP London Member Theo Scheiner asked Ken a question about Stop and Search for Drug Offences at the ULU Hustings.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here is his answer:</span></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrat Candidate.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #002efa; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b><a href="http://www.brianpaddick.com/london_2012_manifesto.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.brianpaddick.com/london_2012_manifesto.pdf</span></a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">p3</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">High standards for police </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Better stop and search. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We will stop police targeting innocent people and accurately target the power on criminals.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stopping people just because they are from minority ethnic communities destroys trust and wastes time that could be better spent targeting real criminals </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A new independent public commissioner for standards. We will create a policing ombudsman for London to enforce tough and clear standards of conduct over behaviours that have brought the police into disrepute, such as abusing stop and search, racist attitudes and corrupt relations with the media</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">p10</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Around half a million stop and searches are carried out in London each year. Taking into account the relative ethnic populations, Black people are 4.4 times more likely to be stopped than White people and Asian people twice as likely</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Driving out racism</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The police must focus on criminals and avoid targeting innocent people. Brian Paddick will take away the power to stop and search from any officers who misuse it. They will face re-training and disciplinary action. Stopping and searching people just because they are black or from minority ethnic communities destroys trust and wastes time that could be better spent targeting real criminals</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Comment:</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In favour of ending blanket stop and search. Will take away stop and search powers from officers who misuse it.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jenny Jones, Green Party Candidate.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.jennyforlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Green-Party-2012-London-Manifesto.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.jennyforlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Green-Party-2012-London-Manifesto.pdf</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">End the arbitrary, race-based, blanket use of stop and search and other tactics that alienate the communities the police most need to work with, and introduce independent oversight of stop and search powers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Comment: </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In favour of ending blanket stop and search. Supports independent review of implementation.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Siobhan Benita, Independent.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/04/26/live-london-mayoral-qa-transcript-independent-candidate-siobhan-benita/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/04/26/live-london-mayoral-qa-transcript-independent-candidate-siobhan-benita/</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Live London Mayoral Q&A Transcript: Independent candidate Siobhan Benita</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5:04</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
Siobhan Benita: I have said that I would have the external, independent review of the Met Police that so many people have been calling for for a long time. It would address efficiency issues (the Met will need to do more with less over coming years so must get smarter in the way they use their officers and staff) but, crucially, it would also examine the cultural issues that need urgent consideration, including allegations of racism, relationship with the press, use of stop and search and treatment of people in custody. All of these issues must be looked at by an independent team, to include representatives from the public and communities, and I would act on the recommendations of the review.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Comment:</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Supports independent, external review of the Metropolitan Police</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-12473624314787204872012-04-25T10:05:00.001+01:002012-04-25T10:05:49.075+01:00Decriminalisation is a step in the right direction, but is it the destination?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/apr/24/russell-brand-drug-addiction-mps">evidence by Russell Brand </a>was a welcome shot in the arm in a public debate about drug law reform played out in the ongoing inquiry conducted by the <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/home-affairs-committee/news/120424-drugs-oral-ev/">Commons home affairs select committee.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was useful to hear from a former addict who has successfully completely rehabilitation, as too often the voices of those who are or have been directly affected by current laws aren't highly prioritised by decision makers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also think he brought a welcome dose of reality to the debate, describing the illegality of taking a given drug as 'at worse an inconvenience' rather than an effective <span style="line-height: 115%;">deterrent</span>. The perception that giving drugs a higher classification, or indeed classifying them as controlled at all, acting as any deterrent has been hugely undermined by developments in relation to the classification of 'legal highs' alone in the last 18 months, but it is still persistently argued by those who are anti-reform.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I personally took issue with his statement that while he would consider decriminalisation a positive change, he wouldn't welcome 'legalization' of drugs.I remain concerned that unless we address the status of drug provision, not just use, being illegal we won't actually be addressing many of the harms created by the current status quo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If a primary aim of drug law reform is to prevent harm, then we need to ensure that those who use drugs can obtain them safely. This is ALL drug users, not just drug addicts, who need to be able to access drugs from a legal source, to prevent overdose from uncertain strength or polydrug death. Obtaining drugs legitimately would also play a vital part in users feeling able to seek accurate information and ask questions about the drugs they use without fear of judgement, losing their jobs or being kicked off their degree courses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not to mention how illegality of drugs supply is funding and fuelling crime in a way that has been extraordinarily devastating in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/16/el-salvador-murder-free-day">Central </a>and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/06/us-jails-mexican-drug-gangster">South America</a>, and indeed communities on our own doorsteps.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, to sum up, Brand's contribution was a welcome break in what is generally a predictable public debate about more enforcement leading to less drug use. However, until we deal with a regulated supply chain we will only have half solved the problem, which is no solution at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><i>Katherine Bavage is a member of the Executive Board of SSDP UK and the liaison for the External Communications Working Group. She can be reached at katherine.bavage@ssdp.org,uk or via </i></span><i style="color: #222222;">@Bavage on </i><i style="color: #222222;">twitte</i></span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">r </i></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-91643578125224761392012-03-09T09:15:00.008+00:002012-03-09T09:25:21.919+00:00Ask not what SSDP UK can do for you...but fill in a survey!<b><br /></b>Now is a vital time for the drug law reform movement, as increasingly we see the orthodoxy of prohibition challenged by the stark realities of drug addiction, gang violence, disproportionate policing and the erosion of human rights in myriad ways. There are thousands of reasons to be angry that this stupid state of affairs is still the status quo, but getting angry is not enough. We have to have our voices heard.<br /><br />I am a passionate believer in the power of a group of people, democratically organised and dedicated to the pursuit of their cause, to effect change. I am proud to tell my family, my friends and my work colleagues that I am part of the group charged with helping run the largest UK student-led organisation campaigning to end the war on drugs. A drugs policy based on evidence and compassion should naturally come from places of education, research and learning in our society, and from the voices of young people who often bear the brunt of prohibition.<br /><br />For most of us our contact with SSDP UK may have started from a chance meeting at a Freshers fayre, or perhaps through seeing an event and turning up with half an idea in mind about what drugs law reform was about. Perhaps then you came to a social, or a larger event like our day school in 2009 or two national conferences subsequently. Hopefully you're on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">facebook group</a>, and maybe perhaps you follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ssdpuk">twitter</a>.<br /><br />But; how will you make sure that in years to come SSDP UK is successful in having our voices heard?<br /><br />For the next two weeks you have the opportunity to fill in a <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FBGQHTL">members survey</a>, and after that, to come to our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/176675149112251/">conference in April</a> and share your thoughts about how to ensure the future success of the organisation.<br /><br />Filling in a survey or joining a discussion group probably doesn't sound very exciting, but out there in our membership is a teeming pool of talent, activism and enthusiasm. Taking a moment to share your thoughts now may well provide the spark lead to the organisation that delivers a fairer drug law reform in the UK within a generation.<br /><br />So, take five minutes, <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FBGQHTL">fill out the survey</a>; tell us what you know we can do more of, and the best way to do it. We promise that we'll be listening.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The deadline for filling in the survey is <b>Saturday the 24th of March</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Follow SSDP UK on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">Twitter</a> and add us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">Facebook</a>. If you are interested in writing for the blog, <a href="mailto:info@ssdp.org.uk">drop us a message</a>.</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-48479390277977574122012-03-01T12:57:00.003+00:002012-03-01T13:05:21.528+00:00Activism across Europe<em>SSDP UK boardmember <strong>Katherine Bavage</strong> reports back from a visit to Poland to meet with other youth and student drug law reform activists. </em><br /><br />I'm writing this in the offices of the Polish Drug Policy Network in Warsaw, Poland. Me and Levent Akbulut, both members of SSDP UK's national executive board have been here since Tuesday morning meeting with our European counterparts.<br /><br />I first met Jan Stola, Bjarke Jørgensen and Luca Stefenelli at the first European Youth and Student Drug Policy Reform Conference, held in Manchester last year by SSDP UK. At the time I was impressed with the depth of knowledge and activist organisation already present in youth groups across Europe, and as we catch up nearly a year later its clear that progress has continued.<br /><br />Studencka Inicjatywa Narkopolitiyki - or SIN, as my lack of Polish speaking ability prefers! - have been doing some exciting work. They've recently held a well attended activist training session in Warsaw, and are looking to work to deliver harm reduction advice during the European Football Championship as part of the 'Safer Games' campaign many organisations are involved in.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Bjarke is working on developing a youth advocacy organisation in Denmark. Based in Copenhagen the intention is to build on existing meetings with danish street lawyers and activists to raise the profile of drug law reform issues in the public policy sphere - this week they've launched their website and are looking to get the word out there and get supporters on board.<br /><br />Finally, Luca is based in the University of Trento and has worked to set up Dipendenza Alternativa in the area. Just this week they are too launching a website, and are really keen to raise public awareness in Italy of the problems caused by prohibition to the Italian people - including severe prison overcrowding.<br /><br />It's been a fascinating few days of learning about how other organisations across Europe are striving in their different ways to achieve the same things as SSDP UK. Myself and Lev will report back to the UK board and I hope continue to learn from and support our European counterparts. Its a potentially very exciting idea to look at trying to achieve out aims on a European scale, and I am hopeful that our members will have a chance to meet and discuss the issues with European delegates at our conference in April.<br /><br />- If you would like to find out more about SSDP's annual conference in london in April 2012, please visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RabbitFox/posts/372803069405167?ref=notif&notif_t=share_wall_create#!/events/176675149112251/">facebook event </a>or take a look at the <a href="http://ssdp-uk.blogspot.com/2012/02/ssdp-uk-conference-call-out.html">call for papers<br /></a>- If you are interested in finding out more about other European groups and their work please email Katherine at <a href="mailto:Katherine.bavage@SSDP.org.uk">Katherine.bavage@SSDP.org.uk</a><br /><br />Follow SSDP on <a style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; LINE-HEIGHT: normal" href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">Facebook</a> and <a style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; LINE-HEIGHT: normal" href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">Twitter</a>. If you are interested in writing for the <a style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; LINE-HEIGHT: normal" href="http://www.ssdp-uk.blogspot.com/">SSDP UK blog</a>,<a style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; LINE-HEIGHT: normal" href="mailto:education@ssdp.org.uk">please get in touch</a>.ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-86617518655341861302012-02-21T18:39:00.004+00:002012-02-25T22:18:09.787+00:00SSDP UK conference call out<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span>Call for Papers/Presentations: Students for Sensible Drug Policy UK annual conference 2012<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">“</span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">Building Leadership in the Drug Policy Reform Movement”</span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><span style="background:white">School of Oriental and African Studies, London.</span></span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "> </span><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><br />20-22nd April 2012<br /><span style="background- text-align: justify; color:white;"> frequently justify the millions of pounds spent on fueling The War on Drugs as a means of protecting our youth from drug harms. For many young people, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds, the reality of punitive drug policies mean increasing amounts of police harassment, surveillance and unnecessary criminalisation.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">How does drug prohibition impact on young people today?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">What role do young people have to play in fighting against drug prohibition?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">How can we empower young people to become leaders of our movement?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">Every year SSDP UK hold a conference to bring together activists, academics and young people from across the UK and Europe to mobilise against the drug prohibition. This year our conference will focus on practical ways to empower young people in our movement.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">A non-exhaustive list of issues we are interested in:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span>- <span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">The impact of punitive drug laws on young people, particularly those from ethnic minorities</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span>- <span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">The impact of discriminatory policing practices, particularly in a post-riot social landscape</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span>- <span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">Practical and innovative ways to create a space for young people to be empowered</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span>- <span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">How should the drug law reform movement organise?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span>- <span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">The role of Cannabis Social Clubs, Drug Users Unions, Students societies and community groups in mobilising against drug prohibition</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span>We welcome proposals for papers, presentations, videos, workshops, art pieces, on a variety of subjects (be creative!). Due this year’s conference location in London, we are especially interested in hearing from London based activists, artists, academics, young people, and youth workers who can give the local angle, but don't let that put you off getting in touch if you are from elsewhere :) </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; "><span><span style="line-height: 115%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">Please email</span><span style="line-height: 115%; "> </span><span style="line-height: 115%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><a href="mailto:levent.akbulut@ssdp.org.uk" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;color:#0000CC;">levent.akbulut@ssdp.org.uk</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; "> </span><span style="line-height: 115%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">or</span><span style="line-height: 115%; "> </span><span style="line-height: 115%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><a href="mailto:education@ssdp.org.uk" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;color:#0000CC;">education@ssdp.org.uk</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; "> </span><span style="line-height: 115%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;">with your ideas by Wednesday 7th March. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="line-height: 115%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:white;"><span><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">Follow SSDP on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">Facebook</a><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; "> and </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">Twitter</a><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">. If you are interested in writing for the </span><a href="http://www.ssdp-uk.blogspot.com/" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">SSDP UK blog</a><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">,</span><a href="mailto:education@ssdp.org.uk" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">please get in touch</a><span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; ">.</span></span> </span></p>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-84685895084618986302012-02-13T16:15:00.002+00:002012-02-13T16:43:34.021+00:00Student Elections<div>Yes, its this time of year again - where student politicians start gearing up to convince the student body that they are the <i>best candidate</i> to vote for in the upcoming student elections. </div><div>At SSDP, we reckon that it can be really quite useful to get SSDP activists involved in student unions politics. Sabbatical officers can ensure students are getting unbiased and relevant harm reduction information and are well placed to advocate on behalf of students facing eviction from halls of residence for drug use. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you are interested in standing in your union elections and you want some advice on what policies around drugs and welfare that could be good to include in your manifesto then please get in touch at education[at]ssdp.org.uk </div><div><br /></div><div>Even if you aren't interested in standing in students union elections, emailing the candidates during the campaign period and asking them what their stance on drug policy reform and providing harm reduction information within unions is a great way of ensuring that drug policy remains a relevant issue on campus. If you publicly publish the answers within your facebook group and through your mailing lists than your members can also have a better idea of which candidates to vote for. </div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-40944216324608575292012-01-28T21:29:00.004+00:002012-01-28T22:39:34.938+00:00Research on mephedrone<div><i><b>G Jones</b> summarizes some new research on the effects of mephedrone. </i> </div><div><br /></div><span>The research done here indicates that there is no neurotoxicity caused by mephedrone to the dopamine systems in the brain. Amongst other things, these systems affect reward, learning, motivation, sexual gratification and attention span, and the fact that even in doses resembling significant binges (1-3g for a 70kg person) there is no damage here is very reassuring. That said, there is evidence which shows that mephedrone causes significant and persistent serotonin deficits, similar to MDMA. </span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Read the papers exploring mephedrone's effect on <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07632.x/abstract">serotonin</a> and <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07632.x/abstract">dopamine</a>. If you are a current student, it is likely you can read the papers by logging in through your university's VPN client or through Athens, or alternatively check it out at the library.<br /></span><div class="im" style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80); "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left; ">Follow SSDP on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left; ">Facebook</a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left; "> and </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left; ">Twitter</a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left; ">. If you are interested in writing for the </span><a href="http://www.ssdp-uk.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left; ">SSDP UK blog</a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left; ">,</span><a href="mailto:education@ssdp.org.uk" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left; ">please get in touch</a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: left; ">.</span> </div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div></div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-30036969837876972152012-01-23T17:24:00.004+00:002012-01-29T14:10:15.249+00:00Statement regarding Peter Reynolds and CLEAR<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3quBOoZOKE/Tx2ZbXZOYiI/AAAAAAAAAEU/7zKkECGPq4c/s1600/ssdp%2Blogo%2Bhigh-res.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 194px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3quBOoZOKE/Tx2ZbXZOYiI/AAAAAAAAAEU/7zKkECGPq4c/s200/ssdp%2Blogo%2Bhigh-res.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700881398736249378" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; ">It has come to our attention that the current leader of CLEAR (Cannabis Law Reform), Peter Reynolds, has in recent weeks come under fire for his allegedly homophobic, racist and sexist blogposts.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Drug prohibition affects us all. Yet discriminatory practices in policing, healthcare and wider society mean that young people and minorities are often disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. Students for Sensible Drug Policy UK has long enjoyed good relationships with BME people, young people, disabled people, LGBT people and women based on solidarity and friendship, and we hope this situation will continue. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: white; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">We feel that BME people, young people, disabled people, LGBT people and women are and should be actively involved at every level of our organisation and the wider movement, and as such we cannot risk this alienating commentary to go unchallenged. We unreservedly condemn racism, ableism, sexism and homophobia, particularly from within our own movement. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: white; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">On the formation of the Cannabis Law Reform party, SSDP UK welcomed endeavours to re-engage the cannabis community with grassroots drug law reform activism, and what we have witnessed overall was largely very positive. Recently, however, we have been greatly disappointed by the reported inappropriate, unprofessional and discriminatory behaviours of a few individuals. We believe that public figures have a responsibility to the movement when they chose to make their private views known in public forums - and they should not be unprepared to be criticized where these are offensive to the vast majority of activists, or descend into petty ad hominem attacks on individuals. We believe that all activists within our movement should behave in an appropriate manner, and condemn any attacks on individuals' private lives. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: white; "></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">SSDP UK feels that the mismanagement of this issue by CLEAR is potentially damaging for the wider movement's credibility and reputation. It is for this reason alone the Board has refrained from making this statement or its concerns public to date.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: white; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">We do not wish to interfere in the running of other organisations, but as the executive board of SSDP UK we have a responsibility to our members to ensure that our movement is a safe space for them to organise. As such, we feel that the actions of the CLEAR leader has made a working relationship untenable and we cannot allow SSDP UK to be associated with CLEAR until we feel that their leadership demonstrates it understands the seriousness and problematic nature of recent events, and takes appropriate steps to remedy the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: white; ">We hope that we are able to maintain and strengthen our good relationships with the committed cannabis activists who share our values of solidarity and equality. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: white; ">UPDATE: This post has been edited on 29/01/2012 to include the phrase: "</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">We believe that all activists within our movement should behave in an appropriate manner, and condemn any attacks on individuals' private lives."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span>Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk"><span style="color: blue; ">Facebook</span></a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk"><span style="color: blue; ">Twitter</span></a>.</span> </p>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-1390963814805482032011-12-25T00:27:00.009+00:002011-12-25T00:48:04.208+00:00The Junky's Christmas by William BurroughsIn the spirit of the holiday season, we would like to wish all of our members and supporters a very Merry Christmas!<div><br /></div><div>When you sit down during the holiday season, and reflect on the recent successes towards a sensible drugs policy and the many steps that must be treaded, take some time to watch William Burrough's narration of the Junky's Christmas with claymation. </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fDR9zULPcFk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">Twitter</a>. If you are interested in writing for the <a href="http://www.ssdp-uk.blogspot.com/">SSDP UK blog</a>, <a href="mailto:education@ssdp.org.uk">please get in touch</a>. </div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-88168429883730546472011-12-15T11:24:00.002+00:002011-12-15T11:30:38.407+00:00International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d3W1Sf1fte4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Today is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Find out more about sex worker rights at the <a href="http://www.sexworkeropenuniversity.com/mission-statement.html">Sex Workers Open University</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk"><span style="color: blue; ">Facebook</span></a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk"><span style="color: blue; ">Twitter</span></a>. If you are interested in writing for the SS</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">DP blog, please<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/255227414521741/"><span style="color: blue; ">get in touch</span></a>.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-65208221606841163772011-11-28T15:01:00.004+00:002011-11-28T15:22:29.127+00:00How long would it take you to score drugs?<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s4kWPCRFJoQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <div><br /></div><div>Our friends at <a href="http://www.knowdrugs.net">knowdrugs.net</a> ask Londoners how easily they could score cannabis and cocaine. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk"><span style="color: blue; ">Facebook</span></a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk"><span style="color: blue; ">Twitter</span></a>. If you are interested in writing for the SS</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">DP blog, please<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/255227414521741/"><span style="color: blue; ">get in touch</span></a>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-9940386861806495062011-11-23T18:31:00.007+00:002011-11-24T11:44:47.323+00:00Letter writing campaign: HIV in Russia<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">This World Aids Day, SSDP is supporting the International Network of People who Use Drugs'<a href="http://russianembassyprotest.wordpress.com/press-release/"><span style="color:blue">campaign for harm reduction policies to be implemented in Russia.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Russia has about 1.7 million injecting drug users with only 70 needle exchanges. In 2008, UNAIDS estimated that just 7% of injecting drug users had access to these services. Learn more about the situation in Russia <a href="http://www.avert.org/aids-russia.htm"><span style="color:blue">here</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">We are asking SSDP activists to take the time around World Aids Day to write to the Russian embassy to call for change. There is a model letter below, but feel free to change it if you like. Maybe your chapter could run an Amnesty International style letter writing session? Let us know if you get any interesting replies, by emailing education[at]ssdp.org.uk<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Dear Ambassador,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">In most of the developed world, HIV/AIDS is successfully fought using a variety of harm-reduction and health-led approaches, as recommended by UNAIDS, the WHO and the UNODC. On average, countries adopting such approaches have HIV rates among 5% amongst injecting drug users.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">However, over a third of Russia’s 1.7million injecting drug users are HIV positive, a number which continues to rise through the lack of access clean needles or opioid substitution therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">I request that Russia considers the implementation of the following measures:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">· Increase the provision of life-saving programmes such as opiod substitution treatment and needle exchange programme<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">· Provide free access to antiviral therapy for all HIV positive people, including those who inject drugs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">· Cease persecuting Russian activists and organisations that are calling for the introduction of harm reduction programmes and for a drug policies based on scientific evidence and human rights.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">· Recognise that people who use drugs must be at the forefront of designing drug policies and programmes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">· Cease criminalising the possession and use of drugs, which is a major barrier for people who inject drugs to access the harm reduction services available.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><br />I trust that you will take action to reduce the harms associated with drug use in Russia.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Believe me, My Dear Ambassador,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Yours sincerely,<br />[NAME]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">[SSDP Chapter or Area]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Send your letters to: His Excellency Alexander Vladimirovich Yakavenko, The Russian Ambassador, 6/7 Kensington Palace Gardens, London</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span>,<span class="Apple-style-span" > W8 4QP. Call <o:p></o:p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">+44 (0) 20 7229 6412, + 44 (0) 20 7229 7281 </span><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Fax:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> +44 (0) 20 7727 8625. Email: </span><a href="mailto:science@rusemb.org.uk" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: tahoma, verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span">science@rusemb.org.uk</span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span >Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk"><span style="color:blue">Facebook</span></a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk"><span style="color:blue">Twitter</span></a>. If you are interested in writing for the SS</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">DP blog, please <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/255227414521741/"><span style="color: blue">get in touch</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p></p>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-24224666338869098752011-11-18T08:33:00.007+00:002011-11-18T19:05:14.483+00:00What are you doing for World Aids Day?World Aids Day on December 1st is a chance to remember those we have lost to HIV/Aids and to mobilise around harm reduction campaigns. Drug users as a group continue to be effected by HIV/Aids and its important that grassroots organisations like SSDP get involved in organising events and campaigns to support those living with HIV/Aids and to campaign for harm reductionist policies. There are plenty of things that SSDP activists can do on their campuses and in their communities to observe the occasion, we have come up with a short list of ideas of things to do but it is in no way exhaustive. We have also tried to ensure that we have ideas that both activists in chapters and without chapter support can organise. <div><br /></div><div><b>1. Run an event!</b></div><div>Run an event which highlights some of the issues around HIV/Aids on your campuses and in your communities. Perhaps join up with other groups and societies who might also be interested (charity groups, LGBT Societies, human rights groups, etc.) Many student unions now have groups like <a href="http://essentialmedicine.org/">Universities Allied for Essential Medicines</a> or <a href="http://www.stopaidssocieties.org.uk/">Student Stop Aids</a> who do a lot of work on advocating for increased access to HIV/Aids medicines, and who are usually very informed and might be up for a joint event. Perhaps you can get an external speaker from a charity or campaign in during the week around World Aids Day, or read up about the situation <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2811%2960114-1/fulltext">in Russia</a> where about 60% of new cases of HIV are IV drug related and give a presentation or run a discussion group about the issue. If you can, film it and send us a copy of the video! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Write an article for this blog / your student paper / your local paper</b></div><div>For the week around World Aids Day we will be trying to get articles specifically focused on HIV/Aids out to you via this blog - if you want to write something please get in touch by emailing education[at]ssdp.org.uk. Writing articles for your local student/community paper is also really important in raising the profile of SSDP and creating awareness around not just how drug users are effected by HIV/Aids, but some of the past activism and solutions the drug using community have developed, such as community ran needle exchanges. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Run an event to a local HIV/Aids vigil</b></div><div>Nearly every city will have a local candlelit vigil to commemorate those we have lost. Why not bring your chapter along to one? Think about bringing a banner, placard or flyers to raise awareness of how HIV/Aids affect drug users, but make sure you get in contact with the organisers of the vigil for permission first as it might not be seen as appropriate. And if you don't have a local vigil - create one! Get in touch with other groups who might be interested (charity societies on campuses and in communities, LGBT societies, etc. ) and get something going! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. Run an SSDP stall which fundraises for a local HIV/Aids campaign/charity</b></div><div>Running a stall on campus or in your communities is a great way to improve the profile of SSDP, and to recruit new members. Why not use the opportunity to fundraise for a local HIV/Aids campaign or charity as well? Make sure you check out our guide to <a href="http://www.ssdp.org.uk/index.php/resources/99-part3.html">running a stall</a> before you set out! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>5. Write a letter to the Russian Embassy</b></div><div>This year SSDP will be running a letter-writing campaign all throughout December in solidarity with people who inject drugs in Russia, where the rates of HIV infection within this community is shockingly high. We will be supporting the <a href="http://www.inpud.net/">International Network of People who Use Drugs</a> campaign on the <a href="http://russianembassyprotest.wordpress.com/press-release/">issue</a>, and launching a letter writing campaign a few days before World Aids Day. Perhaps you could hand out copies of letters to the Russian embassy at any events you organise or take people along to, or organise a letter writing session on your campuses or communities. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>6. Join the online vigil</b> </div><div>Take a photo of yourself with a candle and a sign saying <b>"World Aids Day 2011: Remember those who we have lost, Campaigning for Harm Reduction" </b>which can be found <a href="http://www.ssdp.org.uk/images/docs/aidsday.pdf">here</a> (or make your own customised sign) and send it to education[at]ssdp.org.uk to take part in our online vigil. Once you have made the sign, why not go round and get friends/family/members of the public to join in and send in their pictures too? Remember to take around a mailing list as you do incase anyone is interested in future events. An example of how it should look: </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwkKbzgT_NA/TsapJhKkNNI/AAAAAAAAAD8/JsluRNmguKQ/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It is good practice at any of the events in person or on facebook events, flyers, etc. to give information to your members and members of the public about where the local places you can get tested for HIV are. You might also want to mention <a href="http://www.sexdrugsandhiv.org/">Sex, Drugs and HIV</a>, a fundraising project for various charities working on aspects of HIV issues, including our friends at <a href="http://www.release.org.uk/">Release</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, don't forget to <b>tell us what you are up to, </b>email education[at]ssdp.org.uk with stories and photos of what you have done to commemorate World Aids Day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">Twitter</a>. If you are interested in writing for the SSDP blog, please<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/255227414521741/">get in touch</a>.</div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-83959032074988695792011-10-28T16:59:00.000+01:002011-10-28T17:00:32.098+01:00Viv Ahmun on Drugs and Race<div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WW9oeY-cYN0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Viv Ahmun, the former CEO of <a href="http://www.in-volve.org.uk/">In-Volve</a> speaks at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/111924598907149/?ref=ts">SSDP London's</a> event - No Justice, No Peace: Drugs, Race and Growing Up on the 20th October. Thanks to <a href="http://www.knowdrugs.net/">KnowDrugs</a> for filming. </div><div><br /></div><div>Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">Twitter</a>. If you are interested in writing for the SSDP blog, please <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/255227414521741/">get in touch</a>.</div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-41911722799818244402011-10-20T12:32:00.003+01:002011-10-20T12:36:31.956+01:00Former Mexican President holds America responsible for drug deaths<iframe width="410" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x39IMFIav1A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Vincente Fox, the former President of Mexico (2001-2006) has told the BBC that he holds the United States responsible for the drug-violence in his country.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-48727471365230949762011-10-19T10:53:00.005+01:002011-10-19T11:42:59.936+01:00My Favourite Cannabis Music<div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Manchester-SSDP/219450071428922">Manchester SSDP</a> activist and blues musician Tyler Hatwell takes us on a journey through some of his favourite cannabis music. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Musicians take drugs, not all musicians obviously, but the good ones. The link between musician and drug is a relatively strong one (as Bill Hicks put it; "the musicians that made all that great music that's enhanced your lives throughout the years were real fucking high on drugs. The Beatles were so fucking high they let Ringo sing a few tunes."). </div><div><br /></div><div>Not only does it often act as a large influence but also, occasionally, the artist deems it necessary to write a song celebrating their love of the drug. Here I have compiled my favourite songs celebrating the usage of cannabis, and as an added bonus not one of them is by Snoop Dogg.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/liX7zPV095Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div>King of Chicago Blues and all round cool guy Muddy Waters with Champagne and Reefer</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ev69AoBWaGw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div>Scat-singing Goddess of Swing Ella Fitzgerald with When I get low I get high</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K_dwpUrWkE4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div>Dancehall legend Barrington Levy with Under mi sensi</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R6r_MVjY9p0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div>Singjay Jamaican Reggae-master Eek-A-Mouse with Ganja Smuggling</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pIM03siHuaM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div>Ultimate hipster icon (if Andy Warhol is busy) Bob Dylan with Rainy Day Woman</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DFsbrA_buNo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div>Psychedelic sixties songstress Janis Joplin with Mary Jane </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D44pyeEvhcQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div>Zoot-suit wearing 30's jazz troubadour Cab Calloway with The Reefer Man</div><div><br /></div><div><div>And if we haven't convinced you that songs about cannabis can be cool, we can at least convince you that some anti-cannabis songs are not. Take it away Ringo...</div></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Yi5ZB1ZZCEg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Tyler Hatwell is the co-host of the weekly funk, soul and blues radio show - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/169714073115263/">The Mess Around</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">Twitter</a>. If you are interested in writing for the SSDP blog, please <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/255227414521741/">get in touch</a>. Check out <a href="http://ssdp.org.uk/tune-in">Tune-In</a>, our music outreach project. </div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-81101554889934470082011-10-10T15:11:00.002+01:002011-10-10T15:16:22.704+01:00Mat Southwell - Nothing about me without me [video]<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/23737943?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/23737943">Nothing About Me Without Me</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3310609">Matthew Southwell</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><div><br /></div><div>Drug user activist Mat Southwell talks about drugs user participation in services. </div><div><br /></div><div>Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">Twitter</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-89438183629811319462011-09-16T09:16:00.006+01:002011-09-16T10:47:29.615+01:00Liberal Youth members on Drug Policy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">Liberal Youth members Cath Smith, Chris Ward and Sarah Harding explain why Liberal Democrat members should vote in favour of evidence based drug policy at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference this weekend.<br /></span><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><br /></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">When you’ve been on a diet for 40 years and haven’t lost any weight you change your diet.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><br /></span></div><div original_target="http://www.liberalyouth.org/drugs" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; ">The same is true of drugs policy in this country. The Global Report on Drugs Policy which included former UN Secretary Kofi Annan, concluded that the decades-old worldwide "war on drugs has failed”<br /><br />On Sunday evening, Liberal Democrat conference have a golden opportunity to take the first step to righting this wrong, and introducing a fair, evidence based drugs policy. The motion proposed to conference calls for a scientific approach to drugs, drawing inspiration from best practise in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Portugal, as well as the findings of the 2010 drugs strategy consultation.<br /><br />Drugs policy has long been a taboo in the political world. Our leaders don’t talk about treatment, for fear of looking soft. They don’t talk about the negative impact of criminalisation in case they are branded too liberal. They don’t even talk about the science, because the science points out such obvious inconsistency.<br /><br />Each year worldwide drug use increases, criminality linked to drugs increases and the bill for the war on drugs increases vastly. The most important part of the motion is not what it says in the text, it’s the fact that a party of government is standing up and talking about it. If this passes it opens up the debate, it asks our politicians to look again and start talking about alternatives to the failed zero tolerance policy.<br /><br />Young drug users must not be punished, when often they are victims of crime and poverty. The motion calls for the priority of these people to change from punishment, to rehabilitation and education. Often young people fall into drug use, are punished and are stuck in a vicous circle, with future prospects becoming closed of to them.<br /><br />Drugs policy should never be based on outdated stigma's and stereotypes. The motion calls for a new approach to drugs policy in the United Kingdom, based on science. It calls for drug users to be treated as victims, not as criminals and puts more emphasis on education and rehabilitation.<br /><br />Liberal Youth is one of the movers of the motion, and has a proud record of campaigning for a sensible attitude on drugs. We are proud to be supporters of this motion.<br /><br />To coincide with the motion at conference, Liberal Youth is also running campaigns on an evidence based approach to drugs policy. Literature will be going out in our Freshers packs, and up and down the country we’ll be promoting how we should be talking sense on drugs. Please click <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.liberalyouth.org/drugs">here</a> to order this material. </span></div></span>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-1866699150899294262011-09-03T16:47:00.006+01:002011-09-05T07:56:59.324+01:00Drug Policy in Portugal: The benefits of decriminalising drug useA new report has been published by the Open Society Foundation covering the benefits of decriminalising drug use. <div>
<br /></div><div>The report explores the last decade of drug policy reform in Portugal, where since 2001 the responsibility of reducing demand has been with the Ministry of Health, rather than with the Ministry of Justice. Defying convention, drug-dependent persons have been viewed as patients rather than criminals.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The report by award-winning journalist Artur Domoslawski, is available for download from the <a href="http://www.soros.org/initiatives/drugpolicy/articles_publications/publications/drug-policy-in-portugal-20110829">Open Society</a>.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">Twitter</a>.</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-25924093848278910572011-08-27T00:01:00.005+01:002011-08-28T10:42:48.197+01:00Ineffective, costly and counterproductive - Tom Lloyd on the Misuse of Drugs Act<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">Extract taken from an interview with Tom Lloyd, former Chief Constable and lead of the<a href="http://www.idpc.net/"> International Drug Policy Consortium</a>'s law enforcement project. The interview was conducted by SSDP's Education Officer <a href="http://www.twitter.com/charliethescarf">Jess Bradley</a> at our <a href="http://ssdp-uk.blogspot.com/2011/04/conference-congratulations-and.html">2011 conference</a>. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">I was a police officer mainly in London for over 30 years and I have experience of the implementation of the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, from the start of my service in 1974 to the end in 2005, in both urban and rural areas. I came to the conclusion over that time that our implementation of the Misuse of Drugs Act has been ineffective, very costly and counterproductive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">Ineffective because in that time drug use has soared from a relatively low base in the very early 70s of 2000 heroin users to what is now estimated to be a quarter to a third of a million problematic drug users - some of them multiple drug users but certainly many of them addicted to heroin and crack cocaine. By any standards that has been a failure of a stated attempt and intention to reduce drug consumption. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">It has been hugely costly and I have seen that cost at first hand in terms of the number of police officers and their equipment that have been used to enforce the drug laws. That amounts to at least £10 million a year spent by the criminal justice system enforcing the Misuse of Drugs Act. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">And thirdly counterproductive, many people have unnecessary criminal convictions incurred as a result of their drug use. This does not help people deal with any problems that they may have with drug use, it hinders them. The fact that drugs are subject to law enforcement under the act means that people are actually discouraged from seeking help should they need it for their drug addiction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">What also happened is that a huge criminal enterprise has grown up on the back of the so called illegal drugs market. And it is estimated that criminals in the UK are profiting to the extent of £6 billion every year, internationally the figure is estimated to be US$320 billion, it is a huge criminal trade and the criminals can use that money to corrupt law enforcement officers and anybody else they need to in order to increase their profits and make sure that they evade prosecution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">I maintain the view that we should be enforcing the law in relation to serious and organised crime, even if drugs were controlled and regulated in the future and there was no profit in them there would still be serious and organised criminals active in them, in this country and elsewhere. We should be spending our money on pursuing them, not on pursuing users of the drugs that are currently prescribed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">We also have a problem of health being very badly affected by the fact that drugs are prohibited in this country and round the world. The state of the market which is uncontrolled, other than by criminals, is such that very little attention is paid to the purity or strength of a product. Which is why, in the UK alone, we have about a thousand deaths a year from accidental overdoses or from impurities. Recently there has been Anthrax contaminating heroin which has been on UK streets. Blood borne diseases such as HIV AIDS and hepatitis B and also transmitted, often through the sharing of needles and whilst many drug users might be aware of the health risks of sharing needles they are often driven to do that by their need to take the drug before they, for example, get arrested and have the drug taken away from them by the police.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">So overall we have a situation where the drug price is high leading to criminality, theft, shoplifting, robbery, and of course the activities such as prostitution to pay for one’s illegal drug habit. We have health issues, we have extreme costs to the criminal justice system, there seems to be very little in favour of maintaining the status quo. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">The most common argument is that many of the drugs which are used are harmful. This is a relatively weak argument as there are many other drugs that are seriously harmful, such as alcohol and tobacco, which are not subject to law enforcement - although they are subject to some control and regulation, unlike drugs like heroin, cocaine and cannabis. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white">The people who support the status quo will also argue that the law has a strong deterrent effect. Whereas if we moved to a system of control and regulation then a signal would be sent out which would result in a dramatic increase in the consumption of drugs. <span> </span>Surveys don't support that view and studies in a number of countries have shown that the main factors associated with drug use are cultural, societal and peer pressure and at most the fact that drug use is illegal may account for something like a 20% or a fifth of any deterrent effect. It is very difficult of course to quantify that absolutely and certainly in countries like <a href="http://ssdp-uk.blogspot.com/2011/08/glenn-greenwald-on-drug.html">Portugal</a> where there has been de jure decriminalisation of personal drug use</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> there has been no surge of increase in uptake of drugs many of the nay-sayers predicted.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Follow SSDP UK on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">twitter </a>and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">facebook</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-26705007134061030162011-08-21T10:48:00.003+01:002011-08-21T10:56:32.732+01:00Glenn Greenwald on Drug Decriminalisation in Portugal<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kjuvXdqKM0M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Salon columnist and bestselling author Glenn Greenwald is the author of a new Cato Institute policy paper on Portugal's pathbreaking and hugely successful drug decriminalization program.</span></span>
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<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Greenwald sat down with Nick Gillespie to talk about the lessons from Portugal-and Barack Obama's decidedly disappointing performance so far on drug policy, executive power, and civil liberties. </span></span>
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<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Follow SSDP on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">facebook</a> </span></span></span></div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-63496689970152446702011-08-18T15:40:00.008+01:002011-08-18T21:29:55.437+01:00An Interview With a Cannabis Dealer<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbG0Sv7XPiU/Tk0nwJV3xRI/AAAAAAAAAAs/r9WG2Ro2Lu0/s1600/marijuana_mag_cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbG0Sv7XPiU/Tk0nwJV3xRI/AAAAAAAAAAs/r9WG2Ro2Lu0/s200/marijuana_mag_cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642209616259958034" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Mainly due to my area of study and activities with Students for Sensible Drug Policy, I spend a lot of my time writing and talking about drugs, government policies, and the effects of these on societies in general. I do this with little first hand experience, I choose to keep my personal life separate from illicit drugs. So I thought I’d actually try meeting people involved with 'illegal' drugs. After making a number of phone calls, I managed to arrange to meet a cannabis dealer at a location that was neutral to us both.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I must admit, I was a little worried as I was travelling to meet them, I didn’t really know what to expect. When I arrived at the location I was met by “Joe” (named changed to hide identity), a rather friendly individual in their early 20s. For obvious reasons, at the beginning of our conversation Joe seemed a little reserved as they tried to gauge me, but after a while they began to be more open with me.</p><p class="MsoNormal">By their own admission, Joe is not your stereotypical drug dealer. They were brought up in a middle-class family and had started dealing cannabis whilst at university due to financial difficulties. I’m told they wouldn’t have been able to finish their course if they had done the usual 20-hour a week, minimum wage job, especially after having spent time working as a non-skilled worker which they had hated.</p><p class="MsoNormal">It all started for Joe when they thought that maybe they could sell a small amount of cannabis to cover the cost of their own use, just dealing to friends. “And for a while I didn’t make any money off of it” partly from being ripped off by the people Joe bought cannabis off and partly from simple mistakes that are made by someone doing something for the first time. Within a small number of months though, things seemed to have picked up for Joe, as friends passed on Joe’s number to other friends and is now struggling to keep up with demand. From what I’m being told it appears Joe rather enjoys this job, spending most of the day travelling round chatting and smoking with the people they deal to, and whom I’m informed are generally interesting folk.</p><p class="MsoNormal">What’s apparent from talking to Joe is that dealing cannabis is something that they have done as an active choice. It’s common to talk about those individuals, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, who have become involved in the drugs trade due to lack of alternatives. I personally like to use the phrase “drug dealing is the only equal opportunities employment in some places". However Joe’s story, where someone starts dealing to fund their own use but then it grows into something bigger is not one I’m unfamiliar with. This can have terrible consequences with addictive drugs where people try to encourage other people to use so they can pay for their own addiction.</p><p class="MsoNormal">As time has gone on, the paranoia that comes from working in a black market has built up on them. “I do have nightmares about getting caught, dreams where my place gets raided or I’m in court.” Most people have a story about someone they know who used to deal drugs and they got caught by police or attacked by rival drug dealers, and I get a real feeling of worry from Joe as they tell me about these stories being recalled to them.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We also discuss the ethics of being a cannabis dealer. Despite for all intents and purposes Joe seems a good person they’re fully aware that higher up in the drug ladder some less nice people will be operating. Joe insists that cannabis is not a damaging drug like heroin or cocaine, and that they would feel awful if they were dealing drugs like those to people who were ruining their lives through drug use. “I’m not a criminal, I would consider myself a good person, I try to live my life in a good way…”</p><p class="MsoNormal">It’s at this point Joe’s phone rings, makes their excuses and leaves.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-69910969034744093702011-08-15T09:52:00.003+01:002011-08-15T10:06:56.925+01:00Stop Torture in Healthcare (video)<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SBQ4CPI6-4M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Video from <a href="http://www.stoptortureinhealthcare.org/">The Campaign to Stop Torture in Health Care</a>. Some viewers may find this video upsetting or triggering. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Venta needed treatment for his drug problem. Instead, he was tortured.
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<br />In all corners of the world, people who use drugs are forcibly detained in "rehabilitation" centers where they may be subjected to beatings, forced labor, medical experimentation, denial of basic health care (including evidence-based drug treatment), and other severe human rights violations.
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<br />Like Venta, thousands of people throughout Southeast Asia are locked away in so-called drug rehabilitation centers where they are regularly beaten, abused, and denied access to medical care.
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<br /><a href="http://www.stoptortureinhealthcare.org/">The Campaign to Stop Torture in Health Care</a> is working worldwide to put an end to human rights violations and abuses in health care settings. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Follow SSDP UK on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ssdpuk">twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ssdpuk">facebook</a> </span></div>ssdpeducationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840724345761471913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473318947539698958.post-53747194742702457052011-08-12T17:31:00.002+01:002011-08-12T17:45:33.191+01:00Job Vacancy: Volunteer Web DeveloperStudents for Sensible Drug Policy UK is recruiting...<div>
<br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>Web Developer Job Description</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">An opportunity has arisen to help develop the web presence of a new youth driven organisation working to reform drug policy. The developer will be responsible for the creation and design of the website according to specification.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>Duties and Responsibilities.</b></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">To design and develop the website ensuring strong functionality and optimisation. </span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">To providing training to volunteers on how to update and maintain the website. </span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">To help develop and evaluate our online strategy. </span></li></ul> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>Skills/Attributes Required.</b></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Proven Web and Database Development experience.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Knowledge of PHP and MySQL is desirable.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Web/Graphical Design skills would be desirable.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">A flexible attitude with proven experience of working in a small team. </span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Dedication to ending the War on Drugs. </span></li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>Benefits</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The opportunity to work within a developing dynamic network of drug policy reform advocates. Travel expenses and lunch will be covered when visiting the head office. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b></b></span>
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>In order to apply send your CV to Levent Akbulut at <a href="mailto:levent.akbulut@ssdp.org.uk">levent.akbulut@ssdp.org.uk</a>. </b></span></p></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>
<br /></b></span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0