New legislation fuels drug debate

Members of Students for Sensible Drug Policy met to discuss developments of recent drug legislation and students' concerns over drug policies April 6.

According to its Web site, "SSDP 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."

Roosevelt chapter SSDP President Laura Reichel said that they embrace the universities social justice mission. She said the group tackles a wide range of topics.

"We look at drug use and addiction among young people and people getting proper drug treatment," Reichel said. "We educate all facets of the drug war, but we are also legislatively active as well."

The meeting's main focus was on the discussion of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010.

Reichel said the original law, The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, created mandatory sentences for crack cocaine possession. This specific sentencing was much harsher than other drugs.

Reichel said the Fair Sentencing Act, if passed would restore fairness to federal cocaine sentencing.

"The rates of drug use across racial groups is pretty equal," Reichel said. "But the previous law has contributed to the disproportionate number of African-Americans that are in prison to whites."

SSDP met with members of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin's staff to help fix the disparities in sentencing.

Durbin introduced the bill to the senate in the fall of 2009 and the senate has passed it. It is currently waiting to be voted on by the house.

Amy Tokes, member of the Chicago based social just group Public Action for Change Today, said she came to the meeting as a casual observer and was impressed with the group's progression.

"It's encouraging to see students take such a cause to action," Tokes said.

Several students who are not a part of SSDP were present and said they enjoyed the discussions brought up by the group.

Lesly Galvez, junior, said she didn't know much at first but left with some new knowledge.

"I knew basically nothing about most of the drug laws and policies," Galvez said. "All of the information and was really informative and I'd like to come to another meeting."