FEDERAL LAWS RESTRICTING FINANCIAL AID NEED REFORM

With yet another battle in the war on drugs, a federal law has denied
nearly 200,000 college students in the United States from receiving
financial aid.

The first question concerning this policy move is how, exactly, has
this so-called war on drugs progressed throughout the past several
decades? According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the
U.S. federal government spent more than $19 billion in 2003 on the
war on drugs, at a rate of about $600 per second. State and local
governments spent at least another $30 billion. Where are the
positive returns on all of this spending?

This year alone, 450,623 people have been arrested for drug offenses,
while only 3,086 people have been incarcerated for drug violations.
These statistics indicate a vast majority of people cited for drugs
were for small amounts or other misdemeanor offenses not requiring jail time.

This law treats someone caught with a small amount of marijuana the
same as someone convicted of selling massive amounts of crack
cocaine. Such an across-the-board measure cannot be considered just
in any sense of the word.

Are people not allowed mistakes anymore? A single drug conviction can
prevent someone from receiving necessary financial aid in order to
better their life and earn an education. 'Land of the free' suddenly
sounds ironic.

This editorial board could understand the federal policy if people
with drug convictions were denied eligibility for grants and
scholarships, but it also prevents them from acquiring loans that are
becoming ever more vital in order to afford higher education. If they
have to pay these loans back anyway, there is no harm in providing an
opportunity for someone to change their life and become a productive,
educated member of society.

Are these not the very people the government should be encouraging to
seek formal education so they can avoid the revolving doors of drug
use, poverty and crime?

This law, and dozens more like it are only further proof that local
and federal politicians continue to long for the good old days when
you had to be white, male and socially perfect to benefit from the
privilege of a college degree. America needs to stop them from
rolling back the clock.