Any other DUers attending the International Drug Policy Reform Conference?

[kenichol]

DUer Duhneece and I are in L.A. attending the Conference.

[RainDog]

1. no, but I would love to

if anyone wants to fund my attendance, let me know... lol.

I'm not affiliated with any group, tho, so I would just be there as someone taking notes on the proceedings.

[kenichol]

3. We appllied for a scholarship in August

After we attended the last one two years ago, we've been saving up for this one.

[tridim]

2. Should be really interesting with the new 50% number. Please report back.

[kenichol]

4. Will do!

It is incredible to be with hundreds of other anti-war-on-drugs, pro-harm-reduction folks. It is a most diverse group, ages range from young activists to silver-haired ones like us; from professors & medical providers to formerly incarcerated and advocates.

[kenichol]

5. Whew! I laughed, I cried, I was inspired by courageous, creative activists.

Today, the first of three began with a panel of speakers that included the President of the CA NAACP, former Gov of NM Gary Johnson...she spoke of her having had her head in the sand, a law-and-order person whose eyes were opened to the racial disparity of the War on Drugs & its injustice, costs (both human & financial)-
Then, the hard decision of which break-out sessions to attend. Since I live 80 miles north of Juarez, Mexico I attended one session dealing with the bi national nature of the problem of violence, marijuana demand, corruption, etc., we need a bi national solution. "What substance abuse treatment should look like" I should list the options, but am too tired. Instead, I'll offer the link to begin to inspire other DUers to attend the next conference. It is life changing for activists, advocates who believe substance use and abuse should be treated from a public health perspective, not a criminal justice one!