Pubdate: Sun, 14 Apr 2002
Source: Tribune Review (PA)
Copyright: 2002 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://triblive.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460

ONE LOUSY MESSAGE

Yale University has become the fourth institution of higher education to 
reimburse students who lose financial aid because of convictions for drug 
possession.

Yale's move is in response to a federal law that prohibits such students 
from receiving federal financial aid, The Hartford Courant reports. 
Hampshire and Swarthmore colleges already have such a policy.

And believe it or not, Western Washington University goes as far as to give 
a scholarship of $750 to convicted drug possessors who lose their federal 
financial aid.

Yale spokesman Tom Conroy says Yale's decision "comes from a desire that 
... students not have their education interrupted because they could no 
longer afford school."

Oh, for heaven's sake - spoken like a true purveyor of fine liberal 
intelligentsia. Perhaps, just maybe, these Yaleies and their counterparts 
wouldn't have their educations interrupted if they hadn't bought or 
otherwise come to possess these illegal drugs, hmm?

And perhaps, just maybe, they could better afford to help pay for their 
educations if they weren't buying drugs, hmmmm?

Darrell Rogers is the national outreach coordinator for Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy. He says Yale's decision, and those of the others, 
"sends a message loud and clear not just to the education community, but 
also to the lawmaking community."

Sure does, Mr. Rogers. The message is this: Flout the law and reward 
irresponsible behavior.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom