FINANCIAL AID DRUG POLICY CAN 'SHATTER' STUDENTS' LIVES

Dear Editor,

Thank you for raising awareness of the Higher Education Act's denial
of student loans to youth convicted of drug offenses.

Instead of empowering at-risk students with a college degree, HEA
limits career opportunities and increases the likelihood that those
affected will resort to crime. Speaking of crime, convicted rapists
and murders are still eligible for federal student loans.

Most students outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving illicit
drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be
life-shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling),
former President Bill Clinton opened himself up to "soft on drugs"
criticism. And thousands of Americans have paid the price in the form
of shattered lives.

More Americans went to prison or jail during the Clinton
administration than during any past administration.

As an admitted former drinker and alleged illicit drug user, President
George W. Bush is also vulnerable when it comes to drugs. While
youthful indiscretions didn't stop Clinton or Bush from assuming
leadership positions, an arrest surely would have.

The short-term effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared to
the long-term effects of criminal records. Students who want to help
reform harmful drug laws should contact Students for Sensible Drug
Policy at http://www.ssdp.org.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy