HIGHER EDUCATION ACT TARGETS POOR, AT-RISK STUDENTS

Kudos to Students for Sensible Drug Policy for raising awareness of the
Higher Educations Act's denial of student loans to youth convicted of drug
offenses. Anyone born into a wealthy family need not fear the impact of
HEA. Instead of empowering at-risk students with 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 on "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 politically 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 health effects of
marijuana are inconsequential compared to the long-term effect of criminal
records. Students who want to help end the intergenerational culture war
otherwise known as the war on some drugs should contact the Students for
Sensible Drug Policy at www.ssdp.org.

Robert Sharpe, MPA,

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, http://www.csdp.org,
Washington, DC