U.S. DRUG POLICY DIRECTLY TARGETS COLLEGE STUDENTS

The Daily Emerald rightly criticizes our nation's criminal justice
priorities in the era of the War on Drugs ("Marijuana poses lesser threat
than violent theft," ODE May 12).

Violent criminals are allowed to roam free while our prisons are filled
with nonviolent drug offenders. The misguided War on Drugs also directly
targets students.

Since 1998, more than 160,500 students have been denied financial aid
because they have drug convictions. Rapists, murderers, burglars and
arsonists are all free to receive financial aid once they've otherwise paid
their debt to society; only drug offenders have the doors of education
automatically slammed shut in their faces.

Students who want to help change misguided drug policies that negatively
affect them should start a chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
Visit www.DAREgeneration.com for more information.

Tom Angell

Communications Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.