Pubdate: Sat, 20 Dec 2003
Source: Daily Herald (IL)
Contact:  2003 The Daily Herald Company
Website: http://www.dailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107
Author: Jason Turuc

THE WAR ON DRUGS IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE

I feel it is insane to refuse financial aid to students caught smoking 
marijuana. That should not stop anyone from getting an education.

The people running this country have or possibly still do smoke marijuana.

Many have had to receive drug or alcohol treatment.

Why not ask them this: Do they think they needed to serve a long sentence 
for their crimes and be denied an education? Millions of people smoke 
marijuana, more than anyone thinks: parents, grandparents, bosses, 
co-workers and anyone in between.

I can safely say that for every profession, every race, every group of 
people (and even someone you know), there is someone who has or still does 
smoke marijuana. Our government should not stop them from continuing with 
their lives. However, it is willing to put an end to someone's new 
beginning of life. Why punish people who are trying to make a better life 
for themselves by not giving them the chance to go to school because they 
have or do smoke marijuana? What will happen in the long run is we will end 
up with poorer and less educated people, sending them into a downward spiral.

Once again, the results are more harmful than good. This is working 
backward and will always have a negative effect on this nation.

We must stop the drug war! Open your eyes; look at our lives.

This is not the right decision to make to attempt to control the drug 
problem in this country. It has and will only continue to create a bigger 
problem.

Life is full of crossroads, and sometimes people take the wrong path. With 
this law in effect, government is forcing many Americans to take the wrong 
path, leading them away from education.

Forcing them toward the path of the unknown, which leads nowhere?

Is this fair? This is not what this country was built on!

Jason Turuc,  Illinois Marijuana Party, Schaumburg
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom