Students Protest 40th Anniversary of Nixon's War on Drugs

Advocacy Groups Hold Candlelight Vigils Across the Country to Honor Lives Lost to Prohibitionist Drug Policies.

Learn more, visit: www.ssdp.org/vigil

(EUGENE) - An international group of students and community members working to end the war on drugs will gather Friday, June 17, 2011 at 8 p.m. at Wayne Morris Freedom Plaza as part of a global protest to the escalating negative consequences of the failed war on drugs.

WHO:     University of Oregon Students for Sensible Drug Policy     
WHAT:   Candlelight Vigil for Drug War Victims
WHERE:  Wayne Morris Freedom Plaza – W. 8^th & Oak
WHEN:    June 17, 2011 8:00 p.m.

Friday, June 17, 2011, marks the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s declaration of the “war on drugs.” His decision catapulted the U.S. into a wasteful, decade-long failed effort that has had zero impact on drug consumption in the U.S. Nixon’s “war on drugs” has had profound negative impacts on communities in the U.S. and around the world, and on communities of color in particular. Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Drug Policy Alliance are spearheading efforts across the country to highlight the impacts of this ill-fated war.

At least 75 people are expected to take part in the vigil, which will feature speakers from various drug policy reform and human rights organizations, as well as those victimized by the “war on drugs”. The vigil is just one of more than 20 taking place simultaneously around the world including San Francisco, CA, Washington, D.C and Mexico City, Mexico.

Advocates hope that these vigils will bring much needed attention to the issue of drug policy reform and encourage dialogue on alternatives to drug prohibition.

For more information contact Sam Chapman at (503) 396-9062 and visit www.ssdp.org/vigil

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an international grassroots network of students who are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities, but who also know that the War on Drugs is failing our generation and our society. SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and youth.

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Brandt Hardin June 16, 2011 11:51 am (Pacific time)

The War on Drugs failed $1 Trillion ago! This money could have been used for outreach programs to clean up the bad end of drug abuse by providing free HIV testing, free rehab, and clean needles. Harmless drugs like marijuana could be legalized to help boost our damaged economy. Cannabis can provide hemp for countless natural recourses and the tax revenue from sales alone would pull every state in our country out of the red! Vote Teapot, PASS IT, and legalize it. Voice you opinion with the movement and read more on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/01/vote-teapot-2011.html

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