Founded in September 2022 at the University Club of New York, in conjunction with the Clinton Global Initiative, the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions is poised to emerge as the nation’s leading drug policy think/action tank aimed at preventing substance misuse and the recovery from substance use disorders. The Foundation aims to advocate for scaling up proven policies, given that the current sporadic implementation of research and practices has failed to turn the tide on overdose deaths, youth substance use, or access to treatment. 

One of our first steps is to create the Blueprint for Effective Drug Policy, an overarching strategy guide to assist lawmakers in implementing good policy.

Members of the Blueprint committee include:

The Blueprint process is currently underway, with more than 50 experts and blind reviewers participating. Portions of the Blueprint include prevention, treatment, recovery support, criminal justice, international cooperation, supply reduction, equity, and social determinants of health. Our aim will be a 2024 release date in time for the Presidential election.

To learn more about the Principles the Blueprint is grounded on, and our process, click here.

Kevin addressing the CND Plenary session in Vienna, Austria

In March, our president, Dr. Kevin Sabet, led a FDPS staff and senior leadership trip to Vienna for the international launch of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. 



Kevin also had the opportunity to address the CND Plenary session about the importance of ambitious goals in drug control, which has received more than 90,000 views on Twitter.

Registration is now open for the SAM Summit & Good Drug Policy Conference, which will be held on April 20, 2023. This is the premier gathering for drug policy advocates around the country! 

Our all-star line-up includes: Senator Pete Ricketts, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, Dr. Drew Pinsky, former Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, former DEA Administrator Karen Tandy, Politico’s Paul Demko, and more.

Click here to register and view the full agenda

In February, Kevin Sabet, President and Co-Founder of FDPS and Luke Niforatos, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of FDPS held an event in Seattle with Washington State Representative Lauren Davis (D), a member of the FDPS Leadership Council. Sabet, Niforatos, and Rep. Davis educated the audience about the risks associated with high-potency THC, and Davis discussed her proposal to increase taxes on marijuana and increase the age of who can buy high-potency marijuana. She also sponsored a separate bill that would cap the potency of marijuana concentrates.  

Parents shared their stories about the dangers of high-potency THC in support of Rep. Davis' bill

A full-house for the early morning side event highlighting marijuana and opioid policy experiences in the U.S.

Patrick Kennedy joins FDPS leadership and supporters in Aspen for an intimate fundraising dinner

Michele Worobiec, Director of the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL) Division, hosted a side event entitled, A Global Call on Deflection as the New Policy on Policing Drugs

FDPS Leadership Council member and NAACP Illinois President Teresa Haley joined Fox Illinois to discuss FDPS and its mission

Drug Czar Should Be a Cabinet-Level Position: Op-ed Co-Authored by Patrick Kennedy and Kevin Sabet

"Cabinet-level status would empower the drug czar to cut through bureaucratic red tape, allowing them to better lead a whole-of-government response to our nation's drug crisis."

Click here to read more in Newsweek

Two Years Later, Oregon's Drug Decriminalization is Not Going Well

"Supporters of Measure 110 argued that individuals would get help for their substance use disorder. But less than 1 percent of Oregon residents who accessed drug-related services since 110 was passed have entered treatment.” 

Click here to read more in Newsweek

Foundation Launches with Event in Denver, as featured on ABC News 

Click here to watch the entire clip

Michele Worobiec, Director National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL) Division

Michele leads the team of internal and external experts that is crafting the Blueprint for Effective Drug Policy. She joins us with an extensive background in guiding the justice, health, and community service systems in collaborative policy, legislative, and programmatic approaches that effectively address substance use disorders as a health condition. You can read more about her here. 

Marcia Lee Taylor, Senior Advisor for Government Affairs (Consultant)

Marcia serves as an advisor to the Blueprint team. She is the former President and CEO of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and the founder of MLT Strategies, a behavioral health consulting firm. Marcia has 30 years of public and private sector experience in the addiction field, including having served as the Senior Advisor for Drug Policy and Research for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. 

We are your resource for expert advice for all of these challenges, and more. In your state and local communities, we invite you to use the Principles to evaluate legislation, policy, and initiatives. Feel free to invite us to the table to help and for further information, please contact [email protected].

The Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions is a national drug policy think/action tank whose vision is a world in which children and families thrive, substance use is prevented, and there is rapid access to quality treatment. From prevention and recovery to smart law enforcement and better international cooperation, we are working to change the face of drug policy. Too many people are losing their lives to addiction. It is time for big change.