Pubdate: Fri, 23 Feb 2007
Source: Diamondback, The (U of MD Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Diamondback
Contact:  http://www.diamondbackonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/758
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n218/a08.html
Author: Ken Coriale
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

THE NEED TO SECURE MORE MONEY

After reading the Feb. 21 article "Officials debate extending aid" 
and the accompanying editorial, it is necessary to address The 
Diamondback's omission of several important issues. Without taking 
any position on whether punishing drug offenders by denying them 
financial aid is just, I would like to remind everyone that there is 
no pot of money in Annapolis labeled "Drug Offenders' College Fund." 
This money would have to come from the pockets of students with 
financial needs the state is already unable to meet.

I would also like to take note of a policy The Diamondback referred 
to as "nonsensical" - the idea of punishing a person beyond their 
original sentence. Sex offenders raised the same argument to avoid 
joining the sex offender registry. Their argument was rejected. 
Realistically, sex offenders had more of a case because the law 
requiring them to register was passed after they were convicted. 
Students convicted of drug offenses had plenty of warning, as the law 
has been around since 1998, and I doubt many students had drug 
convictions by age 10. Furthermore, I'll let you in on another fact 
The Diamondback omitted: The law now only applies to those who were 
students at the time of their conviction, and for a first offense 
they are only ineligible for aid for one year.

If state delegates and student activists truly want to improve access 
to education, the way to do that is through gaining more money for 
universities and student financial aid, not merely through taking 
money from some needy students and giving it to other needy students. 
And to The Diamondback - your omissions make me question your 
supposed commitment to inform the student body. Regardless of whether 
it is just to deny financial aid to drug offenders, we should have 
all the facts before deciding.

Ken Coriale

Sophomore

Government and politics and history
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman