Regarding the March 21 article on the Higher Education Act, it’s worth noting that a drug offense is the only conviction that would disqualify a student from receiving federal aid for college.

Apparently, past convictions for murder, rape or assault are of no concern to Congress.

What kind of anti-drug message does this send to students?

The only message I’m getting is that drug hysteria has gotten completely out of hand.

Denying an education to students who need it most will have a decidedly negative impact on society.

This punitive measure will disproportionately affect poor and minority students.

Despite similar rates of drug use, blacks are far more likely to be arrested for drug offenses than whites.

Although only 15 percent of this country’s drug users are black, blacks account for 37 percent of those arrested for drug violations, over 42 percent of those in federal prisons for drug violations and almost 60 percent of those in state prisons for drug felonies.

Again, what kind of anti-drug message does this glaring example of injustice send to youth?

I think its safe to say that President George W. Bush would not be in the White House right now if he had been denied student loans due to his “youthful indiscretions.”

Then again, anyone born into a wealthy family need not fear the impact of HEA.

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.

Robert Sharpe

Program officer

The Lindesmith Center – Drug Policy Foundation