Symposium to Examine "40th Anniversary of 'War on Drugs' and Impact on Communities of Color

Location

“The 40th Anniversary on the ‘War on Drugs’ and the Impact on Communities of Color,” will be the topic of discussion as the Woodrow Wilson School’s Students and Alumni of Color (SAOC) gather for their 16th annual symposium on November 12-13, 2011. The mission of the symposium is to bring together students and alumni of the Woodrow Wilson School in common cause to promote racial diversity, discuss issues relevant to the social, political, and professional development of students of color, and support the social and political development of communities of color.

America's “War on Drugs" turned 40 of this year. Coined by President Richard Nixon, the nation’s “War on Drugs” initiative was intended to discourage the production, distribution, and use of illegal drugs by young people. The decades-old measure has cost Americans $1 trillion and many now wonder if the investment has been worth it, particularly given the negative effects the “War” has had on black and Latino communities.

This year’s event will feature panel discussions and working sessions that will address the drug abuse crisis, current “War on Drugs" policies, and the resulting impact on communities of color. The working sessions will feature leading experts and Princeton faculty. The sessions will evaluate where we are today and develop future policy recommendations that may provide solutions to help alleviate and possibly solve the most detrimental effects of these policies. Many of the talks are open to the public and members of the media.

For a complete agenda and registration information: http://saoc.princeton.edu/