STUDENT AID DRUG LAW APPLIED UNFAIRLY

This letter is in response to the Oct. 18 editorial, "High(er)
Education." Thank The Post 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 murderers 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 www.ssdp.org.

- - Robert Sharpe is a policy analyst for the organization Common Sense
for Drug Policy. For more information go to www.csdp.org.