User:Amiller4/Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy

CSSDP The Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy 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 drug 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 drug policies on individuals, families and communities. Harm Reduction Policies Drugs are a Health issue. All policies and programs aimed at reducing the harms associated with drug 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 drug 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 Drug 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.