Student drug law reform advocates to host 4/20 festival

Brandon Singletary

Contributing Writer

Student-run drug-law reform organization Students for Sensible Drug Policy will hold their first ever End the Drug War Concert and Rally this Friday at Monroe Park.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy, a grassroots network of students in America and abroad, is “dedicated to ending the war on drugs” and believes “the War on Drugs is failing our generation and our society,” according to their online mission statement – but also recognize and “are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities.”

Friday’s event – held on 4/20 – has been organized by the VCU chapter of that organization. Live musical performances from the People’s Blues of Richmond, Antero, Night Idea, Young Adult Fiction and Midair will alternate with keynote speakers, and food will be provided by Carytown Burgers and Fries. The event is free and open to the public.

“We want to educate people on the legislation on drugs with international speakers and law enforcement unified against prohibition,” said Juriaan van de Hurk, SSDP at VCU’s co-president.

The idea for the event originated with SSDP fundraising coordinator Patrick Alecker, who said that using Monroe Park as the location will play a huge influence on the success of the event.

“The park is so rarely utilized for events,” Alecker said. “The park is a prime location for an event such as this, right outside the dorms, and for such a great cause.”

Alecker said the group’s intention with the event is to shift the focus of 4/20 from cannabis use to the reformation of drug policies in Virginia, and that the “underground culture” already associated with the day might attract many individuals to support the cause.

Sponsors for the event include Young Americans for Liberty, VA NORML, Play N Trade Carytown, H3ADs UP and Green House Glass.

The SSDP neither encourages nor condemns the use of drugs, according to official statements, but “respect(s) the right of individuals to make decisions about their own health and well-being.” The group empowers the community to become active in the political process, fight for sensible policies to ensure a safer and fair future for our society and continue the battle against what they view as counterproductive “War on Drugs” governmental policies.

SSDP has been active this semester in advocating for their cause. On April 12 they held an event to spread the word about medical amnesty, a law that pushes for the protection from liability to those who seek medical attention as a result of illegal acts.

“The SSDP works alongside organization like Virginians for Medical Amnesty for the education and implementation of this policy,” van de Hurk said.

For more information on the Students for Sensible Drug Policy at VCU, visit www.ssdp.org/facebook/vcu or www.ssdpvcu.org.