Copyright: 2006 The Des Moines Register.
Contact: letters@dmreg.com
Website: http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Author: John R. Hearn
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?219 (Students for Sensible Drug Policy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

COLLEGE AID POLICY IS UNFAIR AND INAPPROPRIATE

I read "Drug Convictions Cost Students" (April 17). It related that a
federal law disqualifies students from federal financial aid for
college for a drug conviction, although there is some reprieve if the
student completes drug rehabilitation, which includes random drug
testing. Wow. This is epic small-mindedness.

First, it is classed-based. It does not affect the well-to-do. They
do not need student aid, while it throws one more hurdle in front of
the economically underprivileged attempting to upgrade their lives
through education.

Second, it apparently treats a simple marijuana conviction as a drug
conviction.

Unlike drug possession, there are a variety of other crimes for which
there is a victim other than the perpetrator. Most would consider
these more odious than use or possession of marijuana: larceny,
burglary, assault, reckless driving, vandalism and drunken driving,
to name a few.

Third, it illustrates drug-use phobia. Illegal possession and use of
alcohol is equivalent, yet apparently students with alcohol-related
convictions are not sanctioned.

The law's author, Indiana Rep. Mark Souder, states the purpose of the
law: "Taxpayer[s] should not be subsidizing the education of students
who are convicted of...using illegal drugs."

If the government were serious about student drug use, it would
require colleges and universities that receive federal funding
(probably every one in America) to impose such a requirement on the
admission of all students.

The law piles on more retribution on top of what the legal system has
already imposed after the conviction.

The legal system is designed to address these issues; college
admissions offices are not. In the end, more education, not less,
will better serve those with addictions.

- -- John R. Hearn

Des Moines.