DRUG CONVICTION DENIES STUDENTS FINANCIAL AID

Students who have drug convictions shouldn't lose their financial
aid, say members of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP). UTC
students are varied in their opinions on this issue.

"We recognize the "War on Drugs" has caused a lot of harm and that
now there is far too much emphasis on crime and punishment and not
enough emphasis on effective strategies at preventing drug use," Tom
Angell, the head of SSDP, said.

As a part of the "War on Drugs," the Higher Education Act prevents
students who have drug convictions from receiving federal student
aid, Angell said.

In 2006 this act was amended so that only students who received a
drug conviction while attending college and receiving federal student
aid would become ineligible for financial aid, according to Angell.
The only way for students with drug convictions to regain their aid
is to complete a government mandated drug rehabilitation program.

The stated purpose of the Higher Education Act is to serve as a
deterrent against drugs and to serve as a penalty for students who
are convicted.

SSDP members believe that the consequences laid out by the Higher
Education Act are too severe.

"Taking away students' financial aid prevents them from getting their
lives back on track with a college education," Angell said. "The
opportunity for an education is being taking away from these people."

SSDP has a central office in Washington, D. C. where members work to
change the policy that governs the punishment of students with drug
convictions.

"Our main campaign is to repeal the student aid elimination penalty
and we are now working with members of congress to attempt to rework
some of the legislation in a more realistic manner," Angell said.

"Drug policies are aimed directly at our generation, and that means
that it is up to us to do something about the policies they are
enacting to protect us," Angell said.

Laura Ellis, an Oliver Springs, Tenn., freshman, agrees with the
current form of the Higher Education Act.

"I don't think it's fair to other people who do stay out of drugs and
keep their grades up and maintain their scholarships," Ellis said. "
I don't think it's fair for both groups [students with convictions
and students without convictions] to get the same rewards."

Jonathan Meeks, a Collegedale, Tenn., freshman, believes that the
current policy is too harsh.

"Students are already being penalized by their drug habits and it
shouldn't cost them double," Meeks said. "If they do drugs once, not
only do they have to pay for college but they have to pay for rehab."

Shirin Ahlhauser, a Murfreesboro, Tenn., junior, does not believe
that there is a good answer to this problem.

"There's not one clear-cut answer because education is so important
and at the same time drugs are not good," Ahlhauser said. "It does
seem harsh to prevent [students with drug convictions] from being
able to get a good education because they need one... it is the key
way to move forward."

"I think it would make more sense to have incentives rather than
punishments for people," Ahlhauser said. "They should do more
research and find some other ways to stop drug abuse because it is
such a serious issues and it needs to be discouraged."

Students seeking more information about Students for Sensible Drug
Policy can visit www.ssdp.org.