Pubdate: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 Source: Dayton Daily News (OH) Contact: http://www.activedayton.com/partners/ddn/ Forum: http://www.activedayton.com/entertainment/forums_chat/ Author: Robert Sharpe Cited: www.drugpolicy.org DRUG HYSTERIA IS OUT OF HAND Re the Higher Education Act's impact on student loans: It's interesting that a drug offense is the only conviction that would disqualify a student from receiving federal aid for college. Apparently, past convictions for murder, rape or assault are of no concern to Congress. What kind of anti-drug message does this send to students? The only message I'm getting is that drug hysteria has gotten completely out of hand. Denying an education to students who need it most will have a decidedly negative impact on society. This punitive measure will disproportionately affect poor and minority students. Although only 15 percent of this country's drug users are black, blacks account for 37 percent of those arrested for drug violations, more than 42 percent of those in federal prisons for drug violations and almost 60 percent of those in state prisons for drug felonies. Again, what kind of anti-drug message does this glaring example of injustice send to youth? Robert Sharpe, Washington, D.C. Mr. Sharpe is program officer at the Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation. For more information, see www.drugpolicy.org - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D