OVER 150,000 STUDENTS LOSE AID DUE TO OBSCURE LAW

The Higher Education Act was passed into law over three decades ago by
Lyndon Johnson and it authorized federal dollars to be spent on Pell
grants, Perkins Loans and Work-Study Programs. Every four years Congress is
asked to review the Act and make adjustments as needed. A recent amendment
has many students, as well as professors and other academics, questioning
the intentions of Congress and their attempts to look tough on drugs.

Passed into law during a late night, closed-door session of the House
Education & Work Force Committee, the 1998 Higher Education Act drug
provision denies federal aid to any student that has been convicted of a
drug-related offense.

Drafted by Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), the provision has resulted in over
150,000 students losing or being denied their federal financial aid. The
controversial law was the catalyst for founding members of the growing
student movement, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP).

Members of The Ohio State chapter of SSDP criticize the discriminatory way
in which drug laws are enforced as one of the major reasons the provision
should be repealed. Members of the group also point out that the law enacts
additional punishment against individuals who have already been processed
and punished by the criminal justice system. The law affects those with low
incomes the most, ironically, the very people the Higher Education Act was
designed to assist.

While the statistics show a large number of students have been affected by
this law, very few victims have come forward to speak about their
experience. One man has come forward to share his story in this issue of
the Hempfest Journal.