Sessions

The goal of the conference is to begin a national dialogue among lawmakers, social services and criminal justice professionals, and advocates on the impact of drug policies on women and their families. To this end, conference participants should choose one of the following working groups in order to engage in profession and interest specific discussions. You can find out more about our speakers here.

Legal Advocacy & Litigation

This group will identify relevant legal issues that impact women and develop strategies for bringing appropriate cases to court. More >

Legislative Advocacy & Public Policy

This group will identify legislative reform opportunities and prioritize initiatives that are pending or promise significant impact. More >

Institutional & Systemic Reform

This group will discuss the role of various government institutions and systems in addressing women's involvement with drugs and conceptualize realistic ways to further integrate women and family-sensitivity into their current work and advance longer-term systemic reforms. More >

Public Health

This group will discuss the role of public health systems in responding to women's involvement with drugs and conceptualize strategies both to improve current services for women and families and to shift responses to women's drug use away from the criminal justice system and towards a comprehensive public health model. More >

Research

This group will identify additional areas of research and study that will support the development of more effective approaches to substance abuse among women. More >

Public Education

This group will discuss obstacles to gaining public support for women and family-centric drug policy reforms, analyze successful communications strategies around women and conceptualize ways to overcome communications challenges and link reform efforts to core American values. More >

Learn more