SSDP GETS DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES' VOTE

By now, you may think the Democratic presidential contenders are starting
to sound alike, but for Students for Sensible Drug Policy, that's not
necessarily a bad thing.

The organization returned home earlier this month from the 2004 College
Convention at New England College in Manchester, New Hampshire with the
backing of six candidates, said Tom Angell, president of SSDP's University
of Rhode Island chapter.

The group, which sent about 160 members to the convention, is seeking the
elimination of a provision in the Higher Education Act prohibiting students
with drug convictions from receiving financial assistance.

Angell said most candidates supported the group's cause, including Rep.
Dennis Kucinich D-Ohio, who cosponsors a congressional resolution repealing
the provision.

"He has definitely taken a leadership position on our issue," said Angell,
adding that Kucinich is the only candidate running that has cosponsored the
repeal bill.

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., and Former Vermont
Gov. Howard Dean also supported the repeal, Angell said, as well as Rep.
Richard Gephardt D-Mo. and former Ambassador Carol Mosely Braun, who both
recently dropped out of the race.

"We were able to put forth the question to every candidate that was there
except [Sen.] John Edwards, [D-N.C.]," Angell said. Rev. Al Sharpton did
not attend the conference, which was sponsored in part by SSDP and Rock the
Vote.

URI's chapter sent 13 members to the convention, including freshman Heather
Kumer, who got met Dean and asked where he stood on drug issues.

"I think it's a sign of hope," Kumer said. "I think the candidates wanted
to talk to us."

Kumer also said Lieberman had never heard of the provision before speaking
with SSDP.

The group also received an additional boost when Kucinich arrived at the
SSDP Annual National Conference.

"The room exploded," Angell said. "Everyone was so invigorated that a
presidential candidate would come see us and compliment us on the work we do."

The conference, which coincided with the College Convention, also proved to
be a big night for the URI chapter. Awarded an Outstanding Achievement
Award, Angell said it shows the importance of the work the group does.

"It's important that we meet so we fully realize we are not in the movement
alone," he said. "We're part of this large and growing family, basically."

Lawmakers added the Drug-Free Student Aid Provision to the Higher Education
Act in 1998. A resolution to repeal it from the act is currently stalled in
the House of Representative's Committee on Education and the Workforce,
Angell said, but has been cosponsored by 64 members of Congress.

"There has been a lot of public support for the resolution, but politicians
and policy makers seem not to be in touch with the public," Angell said.
"As long as we keep building support...I think we have a very good chance
of repealing it this session."

The group is currently looking for Rhode Island representatives to endorse
the resolution, he said. Kristen Nicholson, a spokesperson for Rep. Jim
Langevin, D-Second district, said the congressman has not taken a firm
stance on the issue, but is reviewing it. The office of Rep. Patrick
Kennedy, D-First District, did not provide comment at the time of publication.

Angell said the URI chapter of SSDP has been able to gain the support of
faculty and administration on campus including President Robert L.
Carothers. Carothers, who serves on the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism, is obviously not "pro-drug," Angell said.

"If the people who wrote the law or support it are concerned about heroin
addicts receiving money and buying drugs, there are already minimum G.P.A.
requirements to receive aid," he said.