SSDP TO HOST REGIONAL GATHERING

Speakers from around the country will gravitate towards one location
on Saturday to speak up against the war on drugs and the problems
associated with it.

The ISU chapter of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy will host the
annual Midwest Regional Conference on April 19 from 10 a.m. until 6
p.m. in, and around, Schroeder room 130.

"The speakers are basically going to be talking about the drug war,
spreading awareness of drug policy reform, medical marijuana and
problems with the drug war," Stephanie Wolter, vice president of
Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, said.

One of the speakers at the event Pete Guither, faculty advisor for
Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, will discuss the current drug
policy as it relates to a national level at 1:30 p.m. He will also
present a workshop titled "Elevator Arguments" at 11:30 a.m.

"[Elevator Arguments] is on how to give a quick argument on drug
policy reform when the only time you have is while you're riding the
elevator with someone. So how to do it in 30 seconds or less," Guither
said.

At 2:30, Julie Falco will speak on behalf on the legalization of
medical marijuana in Illinois. Falco has lived with multiple sclerosis
for 22 years.

"She uses medical marijuana even though it's illegal in the state.
She's been working very hard to get that changed and that's what keeps
her going," Guither said.

Jim Gierach, of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, is a former
prosecutor who has become an advocate to end the war on drugs. He will
present his lecture at 3:30.

"He is part of a nationwide organization of former judges, police
officers and DEA agents who believe the drug war is causing more harm
and should be changed," Guither said.

One of the purposes of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy is to raise
awareness and supply individuals with education on drug policy and
effects of the drug war.

"We're just really interested in spreading education on our campus,
and we really like helping teach other students on what is going on
right now," Wolter said.

Guither and members of SSDP believe the effects of the drug war have
been more negative than positive. The drug war does not alleviate the
damage of drug abuse.

"It sets up a whole series of other problems from creating a
profitable black market, to denying sick people the medicine they
need, to preventing us to use benefits such as industrial hemp to the
damage that it does in the communities where there are racial effects
on the drug war," Guither said.

Other speakers presenting on Saturday include Ben Masel, political
activist and advocate for industrial hemp, Mary Price, with Family's
Against Mandatory Minimums, and Kathleen Kane-Willis, of Roosevelt
University Institute for Metropolitan Affairs, among others.

Throughout the day videos will be shown on the drug war, and
informational tables about drug policy will be available for the
individuals who attend.

For a complete list of events during the Midwest Regional Conference
for SSDP, students or anyone interested in attending can visit the
Midwest SSDP Conference group on Facebook.