Bad Law

Sheryl McCarthy did an excellent job highlighting the absurdity of the
Higher Education Act's denial of student loans to youths convicted of drug
offenses ["Shouldn't We Try to Help Young Offenders?" Viewpoints, April
11]. Instead of empowering at-risk students with a college degree, the law
limits career opportunities and increases the likelihood that those
affected will resort to crime.

Robert Sharpe

Editor's Note: The writer is program officer for the Lindesmith Center-Drug
Policy Foundation. Washington, D.C.