The International Conference on Drug Policy Reform, sponsored by the Drug Policy Foundation, heads south this year to the city of New Orleans. Speakers will include Garry Trudeau, creator of the Doonesbury cartoon, California State Senator John Vasconcellos, sponsor of California's medical marijuana research bill, pain control experts Dr. Stratton Hill and Dr. Kathleen Foley, noted needle exchange researcher, Peter Lurie, Human Rights Watch attorney Jamie Fellner, and many others. Topics to be discussed include The Future of Marijuana Policy & Research, The Relationship of Doctors to Prohibition & Reform, Racism in Drug Policy, Women and Drug Policy Reform, Needle Exchange Policies and Implementation, Drug Abuse and Coerced Treatment, International Innovations, The Reform Position on Kids and Drugs, Doctors and Health Care Issues in Drug Policy, the Militarization of Drug Enforcement, and more.

The DPF conference will be held at the Hotel Inter-Continental, and will run from October 15-18, with an opening reception from 6-8pm on Wednesday the 15th and concluding with DPF's Annual Banquet and Awards Presentation at the Conti Wax Museum Saturday night. Registration is $275, or $375 including luncheon and banquet. For information or to register, contact: Whitney Taylor, Drug Policy Foundation, 4455 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite B-500, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 537-5005 (voice), (202) 537-3007 (fax), [email protected].

On the afternoon preceding the conference, DPF and the Harm Reduction Coalition will co-sponsor an event titled Harm Reduction - Drug Policy: The Basics. The four hour session is aimed at the general public. Registration is $25, with student rates available by prior arrangement. For information, contact DPF at (202) 537-5005, or the Harm Reduction Coalition at (510) 444-6969 or (212) 213-6376.