Pubdate: Fri, 01 Apr 2005
Source: Coventry Courier (RI)
Contact: (401) 789-1550
Copyright: 2005 The Coventry Courier
Website: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1720
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3742
Cited: Students for Sensible Drug Policy ( www.ssdp.org )

ADMIRABLE GOAL, BUT HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

If you burn down a building, rob a store or rape someone, are
subsequently tried, convicted and sent to jail, upon release the
federal government will help you go to college with grants and loans.

But if you get caught with drugs, even a small amount of marijuana,
forget it. A 1998 amendment to the Higher Education Act passed by
Congress in 1968 prohibits federal financial aid.

Even Congressman Mark Souder, who introduced the amendment, says it's
unfair. The intent, he's said in published reports, was to ban
students in college when convicted from getting the aid. But as the
law applies, once you've been caught and convicted of drug use or
possession, that's the end of any hope for financial relief in the
future. You may want to change and improve your life, but unless you
can finance that on your own, the government won't help you go to college.

We've editorialized against this unfair provision in the past. The
University of Rhode Island's chapter of Students for a Sensible Drug
Policy has been active in efforts to change federal law. URI President
Robert Carothers also supports a change in federal policy, rightly
noting that the provision unfairly impacts inner city residents who
are caught up in "drug sweeps" that just don't happen in rural or
suburban areas. Further, Carothers says, those affected are least
likely to be able to afford defense attorneys. They are also least
likely to be able to afford to go to college. As a result, the
legislation disproportionately impacts the poor and minorities.

Now Providence legislator Joseph S. Almeida has introduced a bill in
the General Assembly which would allow Rhode Island to provide
financial aid to those who can't obtain federal aid because of a drug
conviction. That's an admirable goal, and we'd like to support it. But
how much will it cost? We were exasperated by repeated efforts to
contact Almeida for this information. He wouldn't respond. Local
elected representatives have the same question. So does Carothers.

We agree with the URI president that the solution lies in changing
federal legislation. We believe that in the interim, it would be good
for Rhode Island to provide relief.

But.

Big but.

We can't support legislation, however good, however well-meaning,
until we know what it's going to cost.

So come on, Mr. Almeida. If you're serious, get out the facts and
figures.

Or is this just a feel-good waste of time because a constituent of
yours asked for help? If so, shame on you.

Perhaps some of your colleagues - Representatives Shanley, Caprio,
McHugh, for example - could persuade you to answer the question:

What's the bottom line? 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake