Pubdate: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 Source: Colorado Daily (CO) Copyright: 2002 Colorado Daily Contact: http://www.coloradodaily.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1557 Authors: Robert Sharpe, Adam Wiggins Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n756/a03.html THE DOPE ON DOPE Thank you for raising awareness of the Higher Education Act's denial of student loans to youth convicted of drug offenses. Instead of empowering at-risk students with a college degree, HEA limits career opportunities and increases the likelihood that those affected will resort to crime. Speaking of crime, convicted rapists and murders are still eligible for federal loans. Most teenagers outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be life-shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), Clinton opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism. And thousands of Americans have paid the price in the form of shattered lives. More Americans went to prison or jail during the Clinton administration than during any past administration. As an admitted former drinker and alleged illicit drug user, President George W. Bush is also politically vulnerable. While youthful indiscretions didn't stop Clinton or Bush from assuming leadership positions, an arrest surely would have. The short-term health effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared to the long-term effects of criminal records. Like any drug, marijuana can be harmful if abused, but arrests are hardly appropriate health interventions for non-traditional drugs. Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death, nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco. Unfortunately, marijuana represents the counterculture to misguided reactionaries intent on forcibly imposing their version of morality. This country cannot afford to continue subsidizing the prejudices of culture warriors. Robert Sharpe, M.P.A. Program Officer Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C. - ----------------------------------------------- HIGHER EDUCATION? Kudos for the excellent article "Drugs And Colleges Not Mixing", April 18. I am flabbergasted that our federal government believes that denying someone an education is a good way to keep them from using drugs. It seems to me that such efforts would have quite the opposite effect! Adam Wiggins Director, Neoteric Pasadena, CA - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart