The veteran drug coverage advocate takes the helm as HAF builds on its central coverage, advocacy and communications position in state-level entry to psychedelic care.
The Therapeutic Advocacy Fund (HAF), the nation's main nonprofit championing authorized and controlled psychedelic-assisted therapeutic, as we speak introduced that Taylor West is the group's new government director. Primarily based in Colorado, West is a veteran drug coverage advocate who additionally brings to the group an intensive background in electoral politics and communications technique.
After serving as an advisor to the 2020 Oregon Psilocybin Companies Initiative marketing campaign, West was a key strategic chief for the 2022 Pure Medicines Well being Act marketing campaign in Colorado. These voter-approved poll initiatives created the nation's first two state-regulated psychedelic therapeutic packages. (The Oregon program was launched in January 2023 and has already served greater than 3,000 prospects. The Colorado program will come on-line in early 2025.)
West joins HAF amid a exceptional sea change in attitudes and politics associated to psychedelics in the USA. In 2024 alone, a further 28 states thought of some type of laws or coverage change associated to psychedelic care. The change is pushed partly by pioneering analysis at main universities exhibiting that psychedelic-assisted remedy can assist these affected by psychological well being situations resembling despair, nervousness and dependancy.
“Like most of us, I've watched folks I care about battle with psychological well being and wellness of their lives, and infrequently not getting the assistance they want from conventional care alone,” West stated. . “I imagine that individuals deserve entry to psychedelic care as one other promising instrument within the toolbox. They usually deserve that care to be held to clear requirements, accountability and belief. That is the work that HAF helps, and that's why I'm so honored to tackle this position.”
HAF was based in 2020 to help the profitable implementation of the Oregon program. Beneath the management of outgoing government director Sam Chapman, HAF has supplied crucial schooling, coverage experience, and group constructing to guard and increase secure and inexpensive entry to psychedelic therapeutic. Following the 2022 passage of Colorado's Pure Drugs Well being Act, HAF expanded into that state, bringing classes discovered from Oregon and coverage sources to help program growth.
“I’m so pleased with what we’ve got carried out at HAF to help revolutionary packages in Oregon and Colorado,” Chapman stated. “His success will speed up the acceptance of this highly effective instrument for psychological well being and well-being. After 4 years of intense work, I’m excited to move the baton to Taylor, who I’ve recognized and labored with for years. HAF can assist set up a normal for considerate psychedelic coverage and advocacy throughout the nation, and Taylor is the appropriate chief to guide these efforts.”
Along with his work on the Oregon and Colorado initiatives, West's background contains years of management in psychedelic and hashish coverage reform. Most not too long ago, he served as a philanthropic advisor to main donors in search of to help the cautious enlargement of the psychedelic area, in addition to co-creating the inaugural UC Berkeley Psychedelic Survey together with the Berkeley Middle for the Science of Psychedelics. He additionally served as deputy director of the Nationwide Hashish Business Affiliation, held senior positions in a number of high-profile election campaigns, and spent 4 years in Washington, DC, engaged on a wide range of communications tasks. and authorities relations.
“HAF has been a strong advocate for considerate coverage and implementation in Oregon and Colorado,” stated West. “The chance to proceed this precious work and produce the teachings we've discovered to policymakers and advocates throughout the nation is unbelievable. I'm so grateful to be becoming a member of this extraordinary group.”
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Concerning the Therapeutic Advocacy Fund. A 501c3 non-profit group, the Therapeutic Advocacy Fund protects and expands secure and inexpensive state-regulated entry to psychedelic therapeutic for all who want it.
