RE: THE SUNDAY EDITORIAL "COLLEGE STUDENTS MUST KNOW THEY CAN LOSE AID":

Yes, students should know the risks of experimenting with drugs. But it's a
twisted logic that concludes we ought to place impediments on the road to
educating young people even minimally involved with drugs.

Universities have focused on binge drinking for good reason. Alcohol
severely impairs a person's judgement and ability to function. It's the No.
1 drug of choice.

Marijuana use is historically cyclical and will probably go down again even
without the heavy hand of the U.S. government. Besides, it's effects are
much less problematic to one's judgement and self-control. A person can't
smoke enough to overdose. That said, students would be better off not to
smoke it.

Al gore has admitted smoking marijuana in his younger days. George W. Bush
won't deny youthful drug use and has admitted abusing alcohol. Both were
able to grow out of drug use without having their education delayed or cut
off. Of course, neither of them ever needed financial aid.

An educated citizen is not worth losing over the misguided war on drugs.