Salvadoran University Students Organize to Change Drug Laws

Many young people are being sent to prison for possession or use of marijuana and other minor infractions of drug laws. Salvadorans with a prison record have to wait five years to get clearance from the police to apply for a job. Does that need to happen? University student leaders, supported by COFOA, are looking for answers. They are looking for change.

As a starting place, student leaders from four universities in San Salvador are organizing workshops to educate and build support among faith, NGO and education leaders. Leaders met with a court expert who deals with drug cases, Dr. Rainiero Delgado, in an educational workshop about the Law Regulating Drug Activities. He indicated that the law actually provides opportunities for treatment and rehabilitation rather than imprisonment, but judges are not choosing those alternatives. A second meeting with Dr. Jeanette Paz Montalvo from the Juvenile Justice Unit of the Supreme Court examined laws and services to protect children and adolescents.

Students are seeking ways to change the constitution that would mandate treatment and rehabilitation for first time offenders, rather than leaving judges with the option of imprisonment. Education and organizing will be critical to address the lack of funds and build the political will to make it happen.