About
Students for Sensible Drug Policy Aotearoa is a grassroots organization founded in Ōtepoti Dunedin in 2020. The founding members of SSDP Ōtepoti started the club as a way to give a voice to students and young people who were fed up with Aotearoas harmful drug policies. We are affiliated with SSDP International which maintains a network of chapters across the world, all advocating for evidence-based drug laws.
SSDP Aotearoa works in a number of areas to reduce drug related harm such as advocating for the rights of people who use drugs, submitting on proposed legislation, supporting drug checking initiatives, promoting harm reduction education, and liquor licensing.
We work alongside a number of organizations on a wide variety of projects focused on a harm reduction approach to drug use in Aotearoa. If you are interested in our work then please subscribe at the bottom to receive updates on upcoming events. If you would like to join SSDP, or donate, then please go to the "Join Us" page above.
Any sensible person or scientist knows that the drug laws are not based on the science of drugs ~ Professor David Nutt
Team
Committed to reform.
newzealand@chapters.ssdp.org
auckland@ssdp.org.nz
National Coordinator & Auckland Chapter President
Sam Lasham
Kia ora! I am a mycologist/pharmacologist with an interest in harm reduction, psychedelics, and the natural world. I am currently undertaking my PhD at the University of Auckland where I am investigating psilocybin mushroom use in Aotearoa. My research hopes to better understand if/how different species of psilocybin mushrooms might cause different effects, and to use this information to inspire harm reduction. I was one of the founders of SSDP Aotearoa, I sit on the board of SSDP International, and am the president of the Auckland chapter.
Ōtautahi Chapter President
George Adams
Kia ora koutou,
My name is George and I'm currently studying Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Canterbury. I love hiking, playing guitar and meditation - also, I'm a firm believer in drug law reform, evidence-based policies and a rational and non-judgemental approach to drug use and abuse. This belief has lead to me starting and leading the Ōtautahi SSDP chapter and I'm very excited to see what the future holds for us.
Drug prohibition in Aotearoa is a failed policy that consistently exacerbates drug related harms and enables inequitable policing. Now is the time for reform.
Mission Statement
SSDP Aotearoa pushes for drug policy reform at all levels that will reduce harm and empower individuals to make informed decisions through education around drugs.
Our Vision
A country free from drug policy harm!