Project Members
Regulation Project members are leading change with bold ideas and evidence-based policy
The Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC) is a policy advocacy organization comprised around 50 organizations and over 4,000 individuals striving to end the harms of drug prohibition. It operates as a project within Simon Fraser University under the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction. Our vision is for a safe, healthy, and just Canada in which drug policy and legislation, as well as related institutional practices, are based on evidence, human rights, social inclusion, and public health principles. The CDPC seeks to include people who use drugs and those harmed by the war on drugs in moving toward a healthier Canadian society free of stigma and social exclusion.
Contact: cdpc (at) sfu (dot) ca
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network promotes the human rights of people living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, in Canada and internationally, through research, legal and policy analysis, education and community mobilization. The Legal Network is one of the world’s leading advocacy organizations working on the legal and human rights issues raised by HIV/AIDS. We’re committed to reducing the harms associated with drugs and the harms caused by harsh, misguided drug laws. Instead of prohibition and punishment, we believe drug policy must be grounded in sound public health evidence, and in the principle of the universality of human rights — rights to which all people are equally entitled, including people who use drugs.
Contact: MLong (at) aidslaw (dot) ca
The Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs (CAPUD) strives to reduce oppressive societal conditions that people who currently or formerly use drugs face and emphasizes the need for their direct involvement in public policy decision making. We focus on the strengths, talents, and merits of our membership as we build a better future for people who use drugs.
Pivot Legal Society works in partnership with communities affected by poverty and social exclusion to identify priorities and develop solutions to complex human rights issues. Our work is focused in four policy areas: police accountability, drug policy, homelessness, and sex workers’ rights. We combine strategic litigation with high-impact public education and advocacy campaigns to maximize our effectiveness. Our deep collaboration with marginalized people and grassroots movements, combined with our unique approach to social change, makes Pivot the only human rights organization of its kind in Canada.
Contact: caitlin (at) pivotlegal (dot) org
The Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation (CDPE) works collaboratively with governments, affected communities, and civil society to improve community health and safety by conducting research and outreach on effective and evidence-based policy responses to substance use. The CDPE endeavors to be a primary source for rigorous scientific evidence on the impacts of drug policy that is fundamental to crafting evidence-based public health policy. To that end, the CDPE is conducting an international systematic review of the peer-reviewed scientific literature on the health and social impacts of implementing drug decriminalization or legal regulation.
Contact: nazlee.maghsoudi (at) mail (dot) utoronto (dot) ca
Instituto RIA is a Mexican Civil Association that generates high-level research, highlighting and proposing innovative solutions to influence and advocate for public policies within a framework of social justice. On the issue of human rights, access to justice and drug policies, we develop analysis, advocacy proposals, create spaces for dialogue and discussion; publish evidence-based studies; and we catalyze the innovative work from Latin America to the international community.
Contact: contacto (at) institutoria (dot) org
https://www.transformdrugs.org
Transform Drug Policy Foundation is an independent charity that works to change the way drugs are controlled. For over 50 years, the war on drugs has harmed communities, increased the risk to individuals and gifted a multi-billion dollar trade to criminal gangs and networks.
Our drug laws are not fit for purpose. Transform promotes awareness of effective alternatives, provides new models of regulation, and supports those who are moving towards better approaches.
Contact: info (at) transformdrugs (dot) org
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is the largest global youth-led network dedicated to ending the War on Drugs. At its heart, SSDP is a grassroots organization, led by a Board of Directors primarily elected by and from our student and youth members. We bring young people of all political and ideological orientations together to have honest conversations about drugs and drug policy. We create change by providing a platform where members collaborate, communicate, share resources with, and coach each other to generate policy change, deliver honest drug education, and promote harm reduction. Founded in 1998, SSDP is comprised of thousands of members in hundreds of communities around the globe.
Contact: ssdp (at) ssdp (dot) org
The Alberta Community Council on HIV (ACCH) is a non-profit, provincial member-driven network of regionally based organizations. ACCH and its members have a collective responsibility to HIV and related issues and its outcomes at the provincial and local level. Through a social justice lens ACCH supports community-based responses to HIV, sexually transmitted and blood borne infections, sexual health via advocacy, harm reduction, education, skills-building training and health promotion.
VISION: All people affected by HIV, other STBBIs and related issues live in equitable and inclusive environments of health MISSION: Collective action to address stigma and disparities associated with HIV, other STBBIs, and related issues.
Contact: chayward (at) acch (dot) ca
Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH) is a network of Canadian families whose loved ones died from drug-related harms or who have struggled with substance use. We call for an end to the failed war on drugs and embrace an approach that reduces harm, and respects human rights. People who use drugs should not be criminalized and must be treated with compassion and respect.
Families for Addiction Recovery (FAR) is a Canadian charity founded by parents whose children struggle with addiction. Our goal is long term recovery for those with addiction and their families. Our trained parent volunteers provide free peer support by phone to parents in Canada with children who are struggling with addiction. FAR educates about addiction and the need for accessible, publically funded, timely, compassionate and evidenced-based treatment. We advocate for better drug policies and health laws to protect our families.
Contact: info (at) farcanada (dot) org
https://healthpovertyaction.org/
Health Poverty Action acts in solidarity with health workers, activists and communities worldwide to improve health and challenge the causes of poverty. We are committed to addressing the social, political and economic determinants of health, which requires exposing and addressing the failings of the so called ‘war on drugs’ which has not only failed in its own terms but also causes a vicious cycle of poverty around the world targeting the most marginalised communities in society and maintaining and recreating historical patterns of oppression.
Contact: t (dot) woolfenden (at) healthpovertyaction (dot) org
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Canada is committed to planning, conducting and publishing scientific research and education supporting the beneficial uses of psychedelic medicines, including treatment for medical conditions, neuroscience, creativity and spirituality. Supported by rigorous scientific evaluation of risks and benefits and through partnerships with academic, health, hospital and community organizations, MAPS Canada envisions a world where psychedelic therapies are legally and widely available.
Contact: mark (at) markhaden (dot) com
A grassroots network of youth and students concerned about the negative impact drug policies have on individuals and communities. We consider drug use in society primarily a health issue rather than a criminal justice issue, and we advocate for appropriate responses to reduce and prevent harm from drug use. Our mission focuses on three main areas; education, harm reduction and drug policy. We support young people to make informed decisions about their health, starting with evidence-based drug education. Our national board consists of students, youth and strategic advisors that all work in their daily lives to support and advocate for harm reduction, evidence-based legislation, and drug policy reform.
Contact: contact (at) cssdp (dot) org
DanceSafe is a 501(c)(3) public health organization promoting health and safety within the nightlife and electronic music community. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998 by Emanuel Sferios, DanceSafe quickly grew into a national organization with chapters in cities across North America.
Contact: dsusa (at) dancesafe (dot) org