MOTIVATE REP. MARK SOUDER PLEASE COPY AND DISTRIBUTE DrugSense FOCUS Alert #306 - Monday, 11 Apr 2005 On Saturday, Apr 9, the Ft Wayne Journal Gazette (IN) ran an excellent commentary written by a college junior at Cal State Fullerton. Her target? The horribly misguided 'drug provision' in the Higher Education Act of 1998, which penalizes applicants who have a drug conviction of any kind in their background. This column is extra notable because it was carried in the J-G, the hometown paper for cited U.S. Congressman Mark Souder (R-IN). Souder was the primary author of this provision, passed over six years ago, that has since adversely impacted over 160,000 American college-bound youth. Author Marisa Garcia accurately notes that Mr. Souder has spoken out several times in criticism of his own legislation - as passed in 1998 - but he has of yet failed to demonstrate the needed backbone when it comes to stepping up to the plate and repealing the HEA 'drug provision' from student financial aid applications. Please consider writing a short, succinct Letter to the Editor to the Journal-Gazette in support of Ms Garcia's commentary and in criticism of Mr. Souder's staunch inaction in righting this legislative wrong which he himself admits is a reality. Please include an appeal to Mr. Souder that he stop dragging his heels and now demonstrate the political leadership needed to make this repeal possible. Thanks for your effort and support. It's not what others do it's what YOU do CONTACT INFO: You can read the article in full, here: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n578.a11.html If you would like input or ideas on how to compose your letter, feel welcome to contact MAP's Media Activism Facilitator, Steve Heath Additional suggestions for writing letters to the editor are at: Writer's Resources http://www.mapinc.org/resource/ PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF YOUR LETTER Please post a copy of your letter or report your action to the sent letter list () if you are subscribed, or by E-mailing a copy directly to if you are not subscribed. Your letter will then be forwarded to the list so others can learn from your efforts. Subscribing to the Sent LTE list () will help you to review other sent LTEs and perhaps come up with new ideas or approaches as well as keeping others aware of your important writing efforts. To subscribe to the Sent LTE mailing list see http://www.mapinc.org/lists/index.htm#form Prepared by: Stephen Heath on behalf of SSDP http://www.ssdp.org/ =

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