MONTPELIER – Vermont spends considerable resources fighting substance abuse – enforcing drug laws, treating those addicted, and educating young people. While the “war on drugs” has been waged for many years, some question whether much headway is being made.

“Drug Policies – Are We Taking The Right Approach?” is the topic of a day-long conference Thursday, June 7 in Montpelier sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont.

Speakers will include Windsor County State’s Attorney Robert Sand, who advocates a new approach in the “war on drugs,” and former Middlebury President John McCardell, whose “Choose Responsibility” group believes the 21-year-old drinking age law isn’t working.

A series of panels will discuss the speakers’ ideas as well as offer their own insights on state and federal drug laws.

Panelists will include Assistant U.S. Attorney William Darrow, Vermont Bar Association Director of Education and Communication Kevin Ryan, and Barre Mayor Thomas Lauzon.

The conference is designed for citizens, community leaders, policy-makers, law enforcement officers, legislators, academics, counselors, and attorneys. Lawyers may earn 4.5 hours of Continuing Legal Education credits by attending.

More information is available at http://www.acluvt.org/ or by calling the ACLU at 223-6304.