Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 Source: Island Packet (SC) Copyright: 2002,sThe Island Packet Contact: http://www.islandpacket.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1514 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) EDUCATION BUZZ SAW Enforce Federal Drug-Conviction Law As It Was Initially Intended This academic year, nearly 44,000 college students will be denied federal financial aid because of a drug conviction in their background. Many will properly bear the financial penalty for having violated drug laws. But for others, the hit will be far more punitive than lawmakers envisioned. People who commit drug offenses before going on to higher education were not intended to be targeted. The law, passed in 1998, was designed to get university students who broke drug laws while receiving federal aid. The law seemingly could be amended to clarify its intent, but it hasn't been. Despite the efforts of its author, Indiana Republican Rep. Mark Souder, to force the Department of Education to bring its enforcement efforts into line with its intent, the measure continues to act like a buzz saw, cutting down the opportunities of thousands of students. This has led to two unintended consequences: Thousands of students simply lie about drug possession and trafficking convictions, or simply leave the question blank. Those who are honest about their indiscretions are penalized. The Department of Education should enforce the law as Congress intended. Or Congress must revisit a well-intended law that inadvertently and unfairly has stymied the education of thousands of American students. The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer - --- MAP posted-by: Josh