SSDP CONFERENCE IMPACTS CONGRESS

The University of Rhode Island's chapter of Students for Sensible Drug
Policy held their 6th annual National Conference two weeks ago at the
University of Maryland College Park.

From November 17 to the 21, 14 members of the URI chapter of SSDP
spent their time speaking with numerous state senators and congressmen
with the hopes of repealing the Higher Education Act Drug Provision,
which denies Federal Financial Aid to students with drug
convictions.

Micah Daigle, now a member of the National Board of Directors for
SSDP, said, "Since its inception, the HEA Drug Provision has denied
over 157,000 Americans of Federal Financial Aid."

According to Daigle, in addition to the URI members of SSDP, over 300
members from across the nation lobbied together to have this provision
revoked. "It made a big impact on Capitol Hill," said Daigle.

"Senators and Representatives across the country realize that drug
policy is an important issue to students," he continued.

Rhode Island Senators Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee appeared at the
conference along with Rhode Island Congressman James Langevin to
discuss the issue of the drug repeal. Junior member Kirk Benttinen
said, "[Reed] said he supported us and personally wanted repeal, but
under the current political climate it is only a hope at best."

Benttinen said that he attended a discussion on Plan Columbia, calling
it a U.S. Federal Fund to fight the War on Drugs and 'Terror'. He
stated, "1.3 billion dollars are spent annually, 98 percent of which
goes to military aid."

"It provides funds to have airplanes fly over peasants and farms and
drop chemical toxins on them," Benttinen said.

"It was cool to get to actively participate in democracy," Benttinen
said.

Another topic that was discussed, according to Daigle, was the subject
of Medical Marijuana. Daigle, who was field coordinator of the
coalition, along with three other members of the Rhode Island Patient
Advocacy Coalition met with the Rhode Island delegation, "urging them
to stop attacks on Medical Marijuana states."

"RIPAC is a coalition of medical organizations such as AIDS Project
Rhode Island, the American Nurses Association, the Rhode Island
Medical Society and others," Daigle said. "There are over 600 Rhode
Island doctors who support the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act,"
Daigle said.

Sophomore member of SSDP at URI, Brendan McKenna had the opportunity
to speak with Reed and Chafee. While Reed supports the drug repeal,
McKenna stated that, "Chafee doesn't agree, and gave us no
interaction." He continued, "It was completely smile and shake your
hand."

McKenna said that he was also given the chance to speak with three
legal advisors on the issue, who pretty much agreed.

"Langevin said that he would take it into consideration," he said.
"It's a start, you just have to keep working on it over time."

Erin Philbrick, freshman SSDP member at URI, spoke with legal advisors
Stephanie Ashcroft and Meghan Courran about the provision repeal.

"They didn't know too much about it," she said. "We gave them a basic
understanding and they seemed to be for it. They showed some interest
which is good."

Philbrick also had the chance to join a debate with Connecticut
Senator Joseph Lieberman who was unfamiliar with the repeal as well.
"We got to give him an understanding [on the subject] as well,"
Philbrick said.

Daigle said that the members of SSDP returned more knowledgeable and
inspired about drug reform.