Pubdate: Sun, 24 Jul 2005
Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY)
Copyright: 2005 Watertown Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.wdt.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/792
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

COLLEGE AID

Remove Penalties For Prior Drug Use

Congress is reviewing a controversial provision of the Higher
Education Act that denies federal financial assistance for the college
bound for past drug use.

Students can be denied aid for one year for a first-time offence with
increasing penalties for other violations. Sale of a controlled
substance could make a student ineligible for aid indefinitely. Since
the restriction was enacted five years ago, more than 160,000 students
have been turned down for federal aid.

The restriction applies no matter when the violation occurred, even if
it was years before the college-bound student committed the violation,
penalizing young adults for youthful mistakes. Even the bill's
original sponsor. Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., says it goes too far and
supports narrowing it to students convicted of drug crimes while they
receive the aid.

The ACLU, NAACP, the American Council on Education and the American
Public Health Association are among more than 200 organizations and
115 students groups that have called for complete repeal of the provision.

It conflicts with attempts by former drug users to rehabilitate
themselves. The provision puts another hurdle in the way of people
seeking a second chance and trying to improve their lives through a
college education.

It is also discriminatory, having the greatest impact on the poor, who
are more dependant on the aid to pay for college, and on minorities,
who account for a large percentage of drug convictions.

Congress should repeal the provision.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin