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