SSDP

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an international grassroots network of students who are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities, but who also know that the War on Drugs is failing our generation and our society. SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and youth. In New Paltz in particular, the police presence is higher than average for it's size. This does not mean however that we exist to aid students in avoiding police, but in avoiding police encounters outside of friendly gestures. In a town where the law is enforced consistently, it's citizens, our fellow students must be adequately aware of their rights. This is why we exist in New Paltz. To keep students informed, and active in fighting against what they see as wrong, together. Local politics is perhaps the most important level of politics; it is at least the most penetrable. The impact that an be made by students on local politicians is profound, and such experiences encourages students to further pursue political ventures at higher levels. New Paltz SSDP is a great starting point for that.