Sensible Change Minnesota is excited to introduce you to our two summer interns!

Rory O’Brien, Policy & Organizing Intern

Rory O’Brien is a student at Minneapolis College majoring in Addiction Counseling with plans at working towards dual licensure for LADC and LCSW. She is on the board of Minneapolis College’s Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Rory is passionate about harm reduction and sensible, evidence-based drug policy that also take into account marginalized communities and those affected by the war on drugs. She is a reform advocate and also advocates for better substance use education and sex ed that incorporates harm reduction with peer education. Entering the addiction field with her stance in policy reform may seem odd to some, but she sees recovery as having many paths and being different for everyone. She has always been interested in getting people the support they need—which doesn’t always include abstinence (but certainly can). Her goal is to aid in destigmatizing substance use. Plus bringing accessible, affordable treatment that works to people with substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Rory will work on community organizing in conjunction with the 2020 Legislative Agenda and assist in developing the organization’s strategy for the legalization of adulterant screening tools. In addition to working with medical cannabis patients on reaching their lawmakers in the “off season,” she will spend time working with Sensible Minnesota on community outreach.