This schedule reflects virtual conference programming plans, check back for frequent updates.
3:00pm EDT Virtual networking via Icebreaker – Come meet other SSDPers through 1:1 facilitated networking!
Registration is still open through Eventbrite. We have changed the prices, so if you’ve already requested a full refund, we encourage you to re-register at the new rates that reflect lower production expenses.
We are saddened to announce that we must cancel the in-person #Sensible2020 Conference + Lobby Day and transition the event to a virtual conference to take place in May 1st, May 2nd and May 3rd. On March 12, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order prohibiting gatherings of more than 250 people and it was announced that federal Capitol buildings would be closed to visitors through April 1 in an effort to slow the advance of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The considerations informing that order echo our own: while such decisions can be tremendously disruptive, it is incumbent on us to think about our communities and flatten the curve of transmissions to spread out the burden on health care systems. Though we can’t meet in person this year, we are committed to delivering the same high-quality content, and are working diligently to make sure #Sensible2020: SSDP’s Virtual Conference is just as compelling to attend.
In the meantime, please read and distribute our COVID-19 Global Harm Reduction Alert for People Who Use Drugs. Visit the conference COVID page to learn more about alternate plans for conference content, the People of Color gathering, Lobby Day, Congress, and more. Early next week, we’ll be sending another message with details for each. If you are a speaker or sponsor, you can expect to hear from your SSDP contact early next week to confirm your participation in the virtual conference.
Registration fees for participants will continue to be refunded upon request. Event costs already incurred cannot be recouped and the virtual conference will incur expenses, so if you don’t request a full refund, remaining registration fees will be converted to a tax-deductible donation to SSDP’s general fund and you will be listed as a supporter of the virtual conference. If you did not pay for your registration, you do not need to take any action. If you paid for your conference registration, you may request a refund via Eventbrite until March 27 at 4:00pm EST. To request a partial refund, simply type a note in the “message” field stating the amount of the refund request.
Don’t forget to wash your hands, stop touching your face, and stay sensible,
Your SSDP International Team
#Sensible2020: The Virtual Drug Policy Conference, Students for Sensible Drug Policy’s annual international conference made by and for young grassroots advocates, will bring hundreds of activists and allies together online on May 1st, May 2nd and May 3rd for:
Educational programming. The cutting-edge core conference program includes prominent keynote speakers and panels addressing urgent and emerging subjects in drug policy reform, harm reduction, leadership, organizing, and advocacy.
Awards Ceremony. Outstanding members and allies will be celebrated with awards, which will be presented via our YouTube channel on March 28.
SSDP Congress. Board members are elected and governing resolutions are processed when every SSDP member participates in defining their SSDP. **Congress will take place online March 23-27.**
Watch videos from our last conference, SSDP2019, and check out last year’s program for an idea of what to expect.
Members of SSDP chapters are eligible to exchange their earned Chapter Activity Tracker points for conference registration ($25 or 25 CAT points for each chapter member). Contact your Movement Building Fellow, Global Program Coordinator, or send an email to [email protected] to make those arrangements as soon as you can.
Conferences are a unique opportunity for people to exchange information with others doing similar work across geographies; share information that is hard to communicate via technology; and meet the people who will be their allies, mentors, and collaborators throughout their drug policy reform careers. Conferences, though, are an inherently privileged mode of organizing with significant barriers to attendance, particularly for young people, people who use drugs, and people who work in direct service or justice-oriented policy reform. We do everything we can to minimize costs and share content broadly, but it’s still the case that hosting a conference is tremendously expensive.
We project that it will cost $319 per person to produce Sensible2020. While that does seem like a lot of money, our prices are at or below the prices of other conferences of our size and scope. We don’t view conferences as a revenue generator — in fact, in 20 years, we’ve only “broken even” once. We work hard to bring in scholarship and sponsorship donations so we can provide as many complimentary and discounted tickets as possible to student and young adult chapter members with the points they earned in the Chapter Activity Tracker. But the fact remains that we must charge for tickets; if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to provide SSDPers with the year-round services that keep our network strong and active.
If you are an SSDP chapter or Alumni Association member, here are some of the ways you can get discounted or complimentary tickets:
