2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Albuquerque

[xochi]

Just received this in my mailbox from Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director
of the Drug Policy Alliance. Please attend this conference if you can:

<http://www.reformconference.org/>

Reform Conference 2009

This is our moment: We’re winning battles we’ve fought for years, and opening up public debates that have been simmering beneath the surface for decades.

You are a critical part of this momentum: your emails, your calls, your comments -- even your water cooler conversations with friends. It's all making legislators sit up and think seriously about enacting real change to harmful drug policies.

That's why we want to see and hear from you at our 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference, from November 12-14, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This unique conference brings together all the issues of the drug policy reform movement. Even more exciting, this year for the first time we’re opening up a Call for Proposals to you, our supporters. We encourage you to submit your best ideas for panel speakers and topics

This conference is for you: for everyone who believes that drug policy should be based on science, compassion, health and human rights, not fear and incarceration. I hope you’ll check out the conference site at <http://www.reformconference.org/>

You can find out more details about the Call for Proposals and all the information you need to attend.

Together, I know we can take the conversation about drug policy reform to a whole new level at this year’s Reform Conference. I look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,


Ethan Nadelmann
Executive Director
Drug Policy Alliance

[duhneece]

1. I am SO grateful to you for posting this

Did you also post it in the Drug Policy forum?
I'm on the host committee, have been escorted by Reena and Julie of the DPA for the past 2 legislative sessions in Santa Fe, lobbying for treatment vs incarceration and have attended 2 NM Dept of Health medical cannabis hearings.
I applied for a scholarship, but I'll be there one way or another! Would love to meet with DU'ers interested in drug policy reform.

[abq e streeter]

2. A good friend of mine was the head of Gov. Johnson's drug policy commission

that recommended legalization ... I assume that's why Gary appointed him; he knew that he and my friend ( a retired district court judge, and a Democrat) were on the same page on this. I will be seeing him tomorrow night and will mention this and I imagine there's at least a possibility he's aware of it. I will let him know about it if he doesn't already know . I also attended a couple of panel discussions about drug policy ( as a spectator only) during Johnson's term. One was recorded for NPR on what turned out to be an easy date to remember : Sept 10th, 2001 ; a debate between Johnson and Bush's DEA head, Asa Hutchinson ( a graduate of Bob Jones University , I kid you not). The other was a panel discussion that included Johnson and others, which I attended with my aforementioned friend. I have posted elsewhere on DU at how appalled I've been with the support of the "war on drugs" madness by Democrats nationally as well as here in NM. When Gov. Johnson proposed legalization ( about the only sensible thing he ever did) , the local Democratic establishment fell all over themselves to denounce and ridicule him. I especially remember Diane Denish and the at that time "Young Democrats" leader Terry Brunner being very vocal in their denunciations of Johnson over this issue. And Democratic Albq mayor Martin Chavez has made it clear he opposes drug legalization as well. But then again, I guess incarcerating and thus ruining the lives of honest productive citizens whose only "crime " is enjoying non -approved methods of altering their consciousness ( i.e. , anything but booze) is a small price to pay for the opportunity for cheap political posturing.

[duhneece]

3. Apply for scholarships by Aug 12

You have to agree to pay some, but if you can make that commitment, you can apply for a scholarship:

http://www.reformconference.org/scholarships.php