More on Drug Provision Reform

Jordan Smith,
   Thanks for the mention of our efforts to repeal the Higher Education Act drug provision ["More DOJ Med-Mari Busts," News, Sept. 17]. A slight correction for your story might be in order: The Senate is about to reconsider reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy (the bill number is S. 1860). The bill would, in part, reform the Higher Education Act "drug provision" so only students who commit their drug offense while in school would lose their aid in the future (this improves existing law but doesn't go far enough). The bill does not "renew the Higher Education Act," as you said in your piece. The Higher Education Act is responsible for providing billions of dollars for federal student loans and grants, as well as universities. The drug provision, which is a very small section of the Higher Education Act, is the part of the law that is responsible for people losing their aid for drug convictions. Only the Higher Education Act drug provision is being considered in S. 1860, in addition to lots of stuff related to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.