cannabisnews.com: Drug Bust = No Student Loans 





Drug Bust = No Student Loans 
Posted by FoM on October 26, 1999 at 17:43:30 PT
No Student Aid For One Year
Source: CBS News
Students convicted of drug offenses will be barred from receiving federal college tuition aid for one year from date of conviction and, in some cases, permanently under rules taking effect next summer. 
The regulations are based on a law enacted last year designed to reduce waste in the student loan system. They do not apply to juvenile records, and some students will be able to retain eligibility by completing drug rehabilitation or by having their convictions overturned. College entrants must report any drug convictions on forms for federal financial aid, including Pell grants and student loans. Some student groups complain that the new rules are counterproductive. "It's kind of backward to deal with a drug policy by denying people an education," said Jamie Pueschel, a 1998 college graduate who is now legislative director of the Washington-based U.S. Student Association. Students caught lying about drug use could be prosecuted for lying to the federal government.Justice Department officials say there's no database designating student drug offenses, but a statement released by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., cites a University of Michigan study that said 33.5 percent of college students had used illegal drugs in 1995. A recent nationwide survey indicated that drug use among young adults ages 18 to 25 has risen in the last five years, with 16.1 percent, or 4.5 million, saying they were current users of an illegal drug, meaning they had used the drug in the month before they were surveyed. D. Jean Veta, the Education Department's deputy general counsel, had no estimate for how many students the regulations could affect, but added: "If we find out a student has lied, we not only require repayment of any aid received, but the student would be at risk for prosecution for lying to the federal government. "We are very concerned about students being truthful about all aspects of the financial aid application," Veta said. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who unsuccessfully sought to limit the student loan legislation, said such provisions could unfairly affect young people who were not serious drug users. "Obviously if someone is a drug dealer or a serious user, that is a reason to say no," Frank said Monday. "This kind of blanket ban is a mistake." Students for Sensible Drug Policy, which opposes the law, plans to meet in Washington for a conference on that and other issues next month. Under the regulations, which were released last Friday, a first possession conviction will block aid for a year, while a sales conviction will bar aid for two years. Students convicted of possessing drugs for a second time will lose aid for two years; a third time, permanently. A student convicted twice of selling drugs will lose aid permanently. Colleges won't have to police their students. Instead, students will be asked to report their own criminal records on aid forms subject to review by federal officials. Students must complete forms in each year of eligibility. Side Bar:"It's kind of backward to deal with a drug policy by denying people an education."Jamie Pueschel, legislative director of the U.S. Student Association. Tuesday, October 26,1999 - 06:49 PM ET Copyright 1999 The Associated Press © 1999, CBS Worldwide Inc.Related Articles & Web Site:Students For Sensible Drug Policyhttp://www.ssdp.org/No Loans for Student Drug Offenders - 10/25/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3419.shtmlColumn: New Financial Aid Policy an Injustice - 10/24/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3399.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by Mary on April 20, 2001 at 10:19:10 PT:
reeling
Not only is this newest reinforcement of drug policy "kindof backwards," but it borders on the ridiculous. Iunderstand that legislators feel the need to reduce accessto harmful drugs and cut down youth consumption ofchemicals, but this is one antiquated proposal that shouldnever have been revamped.Many studies conducted by government agencies have proventhat education can often be the most powerful mechanism tobring individuals out of a high-risk lifestyle that mayinvolve drug use. How then can a government deny individualsthis vehicle to life improvement?On either end of the spectrum, the consequences arepotentially disasterous. Taking the stereotypical "junkie," although I hate to validate this stereotype, a person withlittle social or economic capital can gain both bycompleting an education, not to mention the potential forfinding something he or she may discover passion or talent for.The other end of the stereotype spectrum is the bright youngcollege student who just likes to get high every once inawhile. In this person's case, one incident of experimentaldrug use in any setting could oust them from their educationmid-year. For those who can't afford the overblown costs ofcollege these days, a return to school may be impossible.I mean, come on. There is no way this measure could beinterpreted as appropriate. The real world, as well as thereal people who inhabit that world, are not built ofclear-cut behavior or morality. The task of life, it seems,is to discover which shade of gray you can vibe with.This seems more about weeding out the socially undesirable,as opposed to rehabilitating anyone. Let's be honest. In aworld this crazy, we can at least keep truth sacred.
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Comment #1 posted by Cannabis Consumer on October 26, 1999 at 23:35:00 PT
America...
America, our abusive, disfunctional mother[land].
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