Pubdate: Tue, 18 May 2004
Source: Decatur Daily Democrat (IN)
Copyright: 2004 The Decatur Daily Democrat.
Contact:  http://www.decaturdailydemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3284
Author: David A. Guard
Note: The writer holds a Master of Public Policy degree and is 
co-administrator of The John W. Perry Fund which grants scholarships to 
students denied federal financial aid by the Higher Education Act's "drug 
provision." http://www.raiseyourvoice.com/perryfund/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Mark+Souder

SOUDER OFF BASE WITH HEA DRUG PROVISION 'FIX'

In his struggle to preserve the lion's share of the Higher Education Act's 
ban on federal financial aid to students with even minor drug convictions, 
Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) is touting his evangelical Christian background 
as evidence of the compassion of his proposed "fix" and the general 
righteousness of the Act's extremely controversial "drug provision." His 
logic should leave Christians of all denominations perplexed.

Congressman Souder's interpretation of Christian values with regard to this 
issue is bewildering to persons with even a basic understanding of the 
gospel of Jesus Christ. After being raised in and confirmed by the Roman 
Catholic Church, attending nine years of catechism classes, being named an 
Acolyte of Honor and studying the Bible while an undergrad, I am left with 
the distinct impression that Jesus Christ would not punish students by 
denying them an education, thus a brighter future. What's more is that 
because offending students have already served their time, performed 
community service, or paid their fines, the "drug provision" punishes them 
twice or three times for the same offense, clearly not a Christian thing to do.

Strangely, Rep. Souder wants to continue denying aid to students even 
though study after study proves that persons who attend college use drugs 
less and have lower rates of drug addiction than those who do not attend or 
cannot afford to complete their educations. And, judges and university 
officials already possess the power to strip drug offending students of 
financial aid if they believe it is proper, and federal aid is 
automatically cut off to students who do not meet certain educational 
standards.

Considering his compassionate teachings, it is hard for me to believe that 
Jesus Christ would advocate that such a monumental decision should be 
zero-tolerance and left in the hands of Washington bureaucrats, especially 
when competent individuals most vested in the student's future have already 
made an educated, local decision in the best interest of everyone.

As chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal 
Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources, Congressman Souder is well-aware 
that our nation's drug laws disproportionately affect minorities at the 
arrest, conviction, and sentencing stages even though drug use rates are 
essentially the same for all races. The HEA's "drug provision" and Souder's 
proposed "fix" work against the very people the Act was created to help, 
the economically-deprived and underprivileged minority communities. Is 
there any doubt what Jesus would have to say about the inherent preference 
shown to wealthier, disproportionately-white students who are not affected 
by Mr. Souder's law?

To date, the "drug provision" has denied aid to more than 140,000 college 
students, or more than 2,800 people for each state. This law has negatively 
impacted just about every community in this country. Clearly, the teachings 
of Jesus Christ do not support the widespread denial of educational 
opportunity to a certain class of people who have already atoned.

How could a devout Christian like Mr. Souder, who I believe cares deeply 
about students, take such an unenlightened stance? If one looks at his 
record, it is clear that he allowed his well-known, ardent drug policy 
philosophy to inform him about what is best for education policy. It is one 
thing for him to advocate taking a hard line on major drug dealers, but 
another to strip low- and middle-income students of their means to an 
education after their debt to society has already been paid.

When fighting the war on drugs, Rep. Souder should be careful to not let 
disadvantaged students become casualties, and refrain from insinuating that 
the teachings of Jesus Christ support unjust, prejudiced policies.

Fortunately, there is still time for him to see the light and end this 
illogical, harmful crusade. I invite Congressman Souder to join the United 
Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Association of Jesuit 
Colleges and Universities, and the more than 70 other major national and 
state organizations representing the education, public health, criminal 
justice, and civil rights fields in support of full repeal of the HEA's 
"drug provision." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake