DENYING AID OVERLOADS PUNISHMENT

As the Kansan reported, students convicted of any drug offense --
including possession of just one marijuana joint -- are automatically
stripped of their financial aid ("Marijuana found on move-in day;"
Aug. 17).

How many students do you know who could afford to stay in school after
losing their aid? Probably not many. And how are they supposed to
clean up and make an honest living once they're kicked out of school?

It's not hard to see that this penalty causes more, not less, drug
abuse.

Of course, the denial of aid is in addition to any other penalties the
court decides to mete out, including fines or jail time.

Perhaps the most striking thing about this policy is that it does not
apply to murderers, rapists, or arsonists. They're all free to receive
aid and live right next to you in the dorms, while students who
occasionally smoke marijuana are kicked to the curb.

Tom Angell

Campaigns Director

Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Washington D.C.