Public Policy and Advocacy Intern - Ithaca, NY
Why Drug Policy Alliance?
The Drug Policy Alliance is the nation's leading organization devoted to ending the war on drugs and advancing drug policies guided by science, compassion, health and human rights. Through innovative campaigns and in partnership with grassroots community organizations, researchers, and service providers, DPA-New York pursues these goals across New York towns and cities as well as in the state capitol.
Why New York?
New York has arguably set the tone for drug policy in the United States in both good and bad ways. With the Rockefeller Drug Laws in 1973, we operationalized the war on drugs, creating mandatory minimums, which have had devastating impact on communities throughout New York State. But New York has also been at the forefront of innovative drug policy. New York was a part of the first wave of sensible marijuana policy, ran some of the first underground syringe exchanges as a result of the AIDS epidemic, and is home to many creative harm reduction and treatment programs.
The DPA New York Policy office is continually changing the face of drug policy in New York. With statewide and local campaigns, there is no shortage of work. Our interns are crucial to our operation. Our current areas of focus include sentencing reform and expanding the use of alternatives to incarceration; cannabis policy reform, including ending mass-arrests for marijuana possession and expanding access to medical marijuana; and promoting harm reduction services programs, including access to sterile syringes and overdose prevention programs. Here in Ithaca, our primary foci include safer consumption spaces (SCS) and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD). We work with grassroots organizations to build people-centered campaigns, and our office ethos is to address racism directly and work to address the harms of the drug war that are overwhelmingly affecting communities of color.
Why you?
You are energetic, self-motivated individual who has strong research, relationship-building, and problem solving skills. You are a team player and very funny.
Do you know a lot about drug policy? You should APPLY
Do you know nothing about drug policy? You should APPLY and have an open mind
Candidates must demonstrate interest in ending mass incarceration, addressing racial disparities in the criminal system, protecting civil liberties, and/or reducing harm associated with drug use and our policy responses to drugs.
NYPO Campaigns.
If you join the DPA staff, you will be a teammate in our campaign and advocacy work. You will be responsible for legislative and community outreach, event planning and research support. To learn more about NYPO’s campaign work, visit the following sites:
http://endoverdoseny.com/
http://smart-ny.com/
http://www.colorofpain.org/
This position in particular will focus on a short-term research and advocacy project related to safer consumption spaces. The intern will have the opportunity to interface with government and organizational stakeholders, people with lived experience, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Application Procedures:
2018 Summer Internship Program, Ithaca: June 2018 – July 2018
Application deadline: Rolling, position to be filled as soon as possible.
Please send a cover letter, résumé and a brief (2-4 page) writing sample to
https://drugpolicy.bamboohr.com/jobs . No calls, please.
The Drug Policy Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in hiring those who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.
Note: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.