Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Canadian Students for Sensible [...] Policy (CSSDP) is a national, grassroots, youth and student network. We provide the necessary education and resources to empower chapters formed by youth and students to work on substance use issues facing their community. Chapters do everything from peer and public education, to [...] policy reform and harm reduction projects. In all these areas we support an approach scientifically studied and proven to be effective in decreasing the negative impact of drugs and [...] policies on individuals, families and communities. CSSDP's Board of Directors is made up of 7 ACTIVE student leaders and 3 others from all across Canada. The student members run and are elected at one of the national gatherings, held yearly. The 3 "others" are appointed board members, not students but members of the community with a level of experience working in [...] policy related issues.
Chair - Jessica Patterson
Vice-Chair - Tamara Kalnins
Secretary - Priya Shah
Treasurer - Brent Nellis
Directors: Allison Miller, Ryan Smith, Aleksandra Kalnins, Matt Glynn
Appointed - Tracy McRae, Janna Dickinson and Donald McPherson
CSSDP currently has three staff members:
Executive Director - Tara Lyons
Director - Caleb Chepesiuk
Outreach Coordinator - Glenn Blake
Mission, Values and Structure
Harm Reduction Policies Drugs are a Health issue. All policies and programs aimed at reducing the harms associated with [...] use in society should address the issue as a public health concern, not as a criminal justice issue. This has been proven to be more effective by studies worldwide.
Education Accessibility The Centre for Excellence in Youth Engagement has found that [...] education and prevention programs that meet young people where they are at, even if they are using drugs and alcohol, are the most effective.Education programs like DARE, run by the Police, May Be effective in reminding youth that drugs are illegal. However, they have been highly ineffective in seriously reaching young people AbOUT drugs in their personal lives. Honest, Open Dialogue [...] education is an empowerment. Young people should be provided with all the information available and encouraged to make their own decisions about their physical and mental health. All education should acknowledge and respect young people’s personal experience, a discussion that should be approached only in a space of compassion and non-judgment.