DRUG CONVICTION MAY NOT PREVENT AID FOR STUDENTS

Changes could mean chance to start fresh.

Changes in the Higher Education Act approved by Congress could mean a
chance at federal money to help those recovering from a drug
conviction and addiction pay for college, according to local case managers.

Since 2000, federal financial aid has been denied or restricted for
people with drug convictions, depending on the number of offenses and
other factors. Now, a change in the legislation means that students
with prior convictions are eligible, but students who are convicted of
illegal drug offenses while they are enrolled in college would be
stripped of their federal aid.

It's estimated that nearly 200,000 students have been denied aid since
2000, when the provision was placed in the Higher Education Act,
according to estimates from the group Students for Sensible Drug
Policy. The advocacy group has sued the U.S. Department of Education
for a state-by-state breakdown of the number of students denied
federal aid because of prior convictions. The change equates to more
chances for those in recovery who are trying to reform their lives,
said Adrian Perron, case manager at Acadiana Recovery Center, a
substance abuse treatment center in Lafayette.

"Those who come through here are at or below the poverty level, so
they need some type of aid," Perron said.

The state provided some aid through the Louisiana Rehabilitation
Services, but the hurricanes have drained that funding pool, Perron
said.

Currently, factors such as how many prior drug convictions and how
long ago the crimes were committed impact what type or even whether
the student will receive federal aid, according to the Federal
Application for Student Aid Web site. Even whether the applicant is in
a licensed recovery program can impact a student's aid.

Recovery programs encourage job skills and education.

There's a waiting list to get into the 15th Judicial District's
Lafayette drug court program. The two-year program offers drug
offenders the opportunity to have their charge expunged.

Right now, there are 122 people in the program, which mandates that
participants earn their GED. Those in the program are encouraged to
continue beyond the GED, but few have gone on to college while still
in the program, said Susan Guidry, program manager.

"They're trying to get their lives back in order and if they could
pursue that option, it would make a difference," Guidry said.