DRUG VIOLATION SHOULD NOT KILL COLLEGE AID

The author of the editorial, "College: "Those who sell drugs should
not get federal aid" is slightly confused about the Higher Education
Act, which bans anyone with a drug conviction from gaining student
aid.

It's not just drug dealers; it's anyone who has ever smoked a single
joint of marijuana.

Denying people a good education is no way to keep them off drugs.
Even the law's author, Mark Souder, is upset with the Bush
administration's draconian enforcement of the law, and claims that it
goes beyond his original intent.

Given that our last two presidents have admitted to experimenting
with illegal drugs in the past, it seems obvious that a person can go
on to live a full and productive life despite some youthful
experimentation.

I urge all citizens who support education for our youth to contact
their House representative and ask them to support HR 786, which will
repeal this portion of the Higher Education Act.

Adam B. Wiggins
Pasadena, Calif.