A SECOND CHANCE FOR DRUG OFFENDERS - SORT OF

In relaxing rules which made students with drug conviction ineligible
for federal financial aid, the U.S. Congress has taken a step in the
right direction. Unfortunately, it is only a small step, one which
leaves the flaws of the original rules in place and does nothing to
address the hypocrisy at the law's core.

Under the proposed new rules governing eligibility for federal
financial aid, drug offenders who were not enrolled in school or
receiving aid at the time of their convictions will qualify. People
who are convicted of a drug possession offense while receiving aid
will be ineligible for one year. The second conviction brings two
years of ineligibility and the third will indefinitely disqualify the
offender for federal financial aid. Penalties for selling are harsher.

Congress should get credit for allowing for the possibility of reform,
and encouraging drug offenders to get an education and start a new
life. Assuming President Bush approves the measure, it will be
possible for someone with drug convictions to apply for and receive
federal financial aid.

But in targeting drug offenders, Congress reveals the true purpose of
the law, which is to allow politicians to take a tough stance on crime
and drugs.

The original rules penalized applicants with drug convictions who
honestly completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and
admitted to drug convictions. The applicant could be declared
ineligible even if the convictions had occurred years before, even if
the sentence had already been served in full.

What practical purpose could that possibly serve? Are we supposed to
conclude that drug use is acceptable for the wealthy? Or that drug use
only occurs among people with income levels which would allow them to
qualify for federal financial aid?

Now that we have scratched the surface of the law's hypocrisy, let's
keep digging. Why target drug offenders? Do we deny financial aid to
convicted murderers or rapists? Is there a special question for either
of those groups on the FAFSA? Are we unconcerned about such crimes?

The law's biggest flaw is that it ignores the real substance abuse
problem. According to fact sheets posted on the White House Web site,
"Alcohol, of all substances used, causes the most problems on college
campuses." This fact is apparently no cause for concern among members
of Congress, nor does it seem to trouble President Bush, who is
expected to sign the bill into law.

An estimated 175,000 people have been denied federal financial aid
because of their drug convictions since the question began appearing
on the application forms in 2000, according to the group Students for
a Sensible Drug Policy.

Maybe some of them will apply again and eventually receive aid. As
long as politicians can win elections by persecuting drug users while
ignoring more serious problems, it will be a hollow victory.