Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) Copyright: 2005 Star Tribune Contact: http://www.startribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) EDUCATE DRUG OFFENDERS Illegal drug use, unlike assault or robbery, its usually neither malicious nor predatory. Drug offenses are typically born of addiction -- an illness that treatment can bring under control. Shunning those who have struggled with addiction is cruel and counterproductive. The case seems so clear it's hard to imagine anyone would shrug it off. Unfortunately, Congress has: Since 2000, its Higher Education Act has barred students with drug convictions from access to federal financial aid. So far, more than 160,000 students seeking federal aid have been turned away because they had drug records. It's a foolish law: Ample evidence shows that the surest shield against addiction relapse is a goal-oriented life -- the kind college pretty much guarantees. That's why addiction experts nationwide favor the ban's repeal. Minnesota Rep. John Kline is perfectly situated to help arrange that outcome. He's a member of the House Education Committee, which will consider reauthorization of the Higher Education Act today. As written, the renewal bill calls only for a partial repeal. Former drug offenders would become eligible for aid, but students convicted of drug crimes while in college would still lose it. Coming from the land of 10,000 treatment centers, Kline surely knows what happens when a student who dabbles in drugs is yanked from school: As the prospect of graduation dissolves, the likelihood of longtime incarceration escalates. And as the National Taxpayers Union notes, a wholesale repeal of the ban wouldn't cost a cent. How can Kline resist? A full repeal would advance justice, thrift, public health and productivity. He should coax his fellow Republicans to join him in burying the ban. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth