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Michael Blain

Director of Public Policy
The Drug Policy Alliance

On November 30 th, 2004, Michael Blain of the Drug Policy Alliance joined the Fellows for dinner. It proved to be an enlightening experience for all as he spoke on the various campaign strategies and resources used to bring about the latest changes in the Rockefeller drug laws here in New York and elsewhere in the United States. Michael, the Director of Public Policy of The Drug Policy Alliance is a policy campaign strategist, activist and organizer. As the Director of the Office of Public Policy, Michael supervises and directs the Alliance’s lobbying efforts in 12 states. Michael combines the lobbying power of the Alliance with existing grassroots movements in states to create campaigns to enact new and sensible drug policy reforms that reduce the harm done by the drug war. Michael has seen much success on the campaign trail by being a key player in drug policy initiatives in Texas, Maryland, and Alabama that have resulted in 10 new pieces of legislative reform. In June of 2004 Michael was given an Exemplary Leadership Award by the Black Caucus in Maryland for the passage of HB 295-Treatment Not Incarceration, "a bi-partisan bill that will divert 2-3 thousand non-violent drug offenders from prison into community based treatment and save the state of Maryland between $40-60 million dollars, while rebuilding communities devastated by the War on Drugs..." Michael's organizing efforts have resulted in the formation of two new advocacy organizations in Texas and Alabama that are sharply focused on ending the drug war. In Texas, Michael co-founded the Texas Justice Network, an alliance of formerly incarcerated people and their family members that unites voter mobilization with policy advocacy. Michael is part of a highly developed nationwide network of formerly incarcerated people, their family members, and communities of color; his mission is to build a sustainable movement by promoting advocacy among those who have the most to gain from criminal justice reform. His advocacy work has been featured on the Tavis Smiley Show, in Corrections Today, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Baltimore Sun, to name a few. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Michael is a former Soros Fellow and was the Campaign Director for the Justice Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Michael came to this work from the investment banking world, where he has worked for such notable firms as Drexel Burnham Lambert, E. F. Hutton, and Dean Wittier. His business acumen and activist orientation has made him a powerful policy changer that is focusing on creating new bottom lines and not just changing laws. Michael lives with his partner Robin and their incredible son, Truth Union. His hobbies include playing the cello, tennis, basketball, theater and writing.

The information listed above was provided at the time of the speaker's visit and may no longer be current.