Melissa Colebank

Melissa Colebank began her work in drug and cannabis policy reform in 2009 when she co-founded the first chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy in South Carolina at the College of Charleston. She served as the chapter’s first Secretary and was later elected President. She was selected as one of the national SSDP Chapter Leaders of the Week and as an alternate for the International Board of Directors. Before graduating in 2012 with a degree in Corporate Communication, Melissa was an active volunteer for the North Carolina Harm Reduction Action Center. There she volunteered at multiple events such as the Law Enforcement Syringe Access Advocacy Day at the North Carolina State Capitol and the first annual Southern Harm Reduction Conference. Melissa attended multiple International Harm Reduction conferences and International Drug Policy Reform conferences to increase her to further develop her activism strategies and knowledge base. Melissa moved to Denver in April 2013 to pursue career opportunities and continue her harm reduction advocacy by volunteering for Denver’s Harm Reduction Action Center. After gaining skills in other industries including office administration, sales, and extensive customer service, Melissa joined Denver Relief Consulting in October 2014 as Office Manager. Melissa also currently serves as SSDP Alumni Mountain Region Vice-President. She brings a passion for drug reform, the cannabis industry, and harm reduction principles and strategies, but also a bright smile to the front office each day.