Pubdate: Thu, 19 Apr 2007
Source: News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)
Copyright: 2007 The News and Observer Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.newsobserver.com/484/story/433256.html
Website: http://www.news-observer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n433/a11.html
Author: Virginia Foxx

DETERRING DRUG ABUSE

Regarding your "Drugs and student aid" item (April 4 Under the Dome): 
The drug conviction provision disqualifying a student for federal 
financial aid applies only to students who were convicted for the 
sale or possession of a controlled substance that occurred while the 
student was enrolled in postsecondary education and receiving Title 
IV student aid. Participation in an eligible rehabilitation program 
enables a student to re-establish eligibility for such aid.

The article insinuates that I am personally "considering repealing 
the aid ban as part of this year's reauthorization of the [higher 
education] act," which is simply not true. As a member of the House 
Education and Labor Committee, I will be involved in the 
reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. However, the committee 
has not had any discussion on the drug conviction issue.

If we were to repeal the provision, we would be saying that we 
condone the use or sale of harmful drugs and that there should not be 
a penalty that can act as a deterrent to such bad behavior. It seems 
to me that we need to do more to require people to be responsible for 
their behavior and not less.

Virginia Foxx

U.S. House of Representatives Washington (The writer, a Republican, 
represents North Carolina's 5th Congressional District.)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom