SSDP PROMOTES DRUG AWARENESS

Chances are you may have attended Hempfest on the University of Rhode Island
quadrangle last spring. If not, chances are you've at least heard of it. If you
haven't yet heard of it, you probably will soon. After all, Students for a
Sensible Drug Policy, which runs the celebration each year, is the fastest
growing student organization in the country.

Tom Angell, president of the URI chapter of SSDP said the club works to make
students aware of issues relating to the illegal use of marijuana.

"We try and educate people on the harm done by the War on Drugs," he said.

In addition to this, Angell said that they try to make young people realize
they have a voice in American politics.

SSDP co-president Micah Daigle said, "It's about social justice." Currently
there are 200 chapters of the SSDP across the country.

'This really is a very strong and growing movement," Angell said. "We do
anything we can do to get the media to cover our issues. It brings awareness."

To raise awareness of the harm done by the war on drugs, SSDP works with the
Student Senate, holds conferences and participates in rallies.

Daigle said one of their primary goals is trying to get the Higher Education
Act Drug Provision repealed, because it makes students ineligible for federal
financial aid if they are convicted of a drug offense.

"It only affects poor people because obviously rich people have the money to
send their kids to school," Daigle said.

He also said that it unfairly affects minorities because although minorities
only make up 13 percent of drug users, 55 percent of drug convictions are
handed down to minorities who then lose their eligibility for federal financial
aid.

Daigle said that last March they held a regional conference at URI for people
all over the country. Twenty different schools attended from states such as
Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Angell said they also have support from school administrators. "President
Carothers is highly on our side. He spoke at a press conference we had," he
said.

Among other things, Angell said SSDP fights for the rights of patients who use
medical marijuana. He said physicians, lawyers and scientists are also joining
the campaign.

"It really is a legitimate issue," Angell said. "It's not just a bunch of
students trying to get high legally."

SSDP is setting up a booth in the Memorial Union on Sept. 22 and 23 to support
a memorial for Cheryl Miller, a champion of the cause of medicinal marijuana.
The group will be equipped with cell phones so students can call the same
offices lobbyists supporting the memorial will be located at.

"She spent a majority of the end of her life fighting for the use of medical
marijuana," Angell said. Miller attended the conference held at URI last
spring.

He said there are a lot of people who still are undecided on the issue of drug
legalization. "The idea is to knock them off the fence and onto our side."

Daigle said there are also many other programs being planned for the year, such
as Hempfest.

Both Angell and Daigle stressed that all of their members, no matter what their
level of involvement play an active role. SSDP meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in
Room 318 of the Memorial Union.