Oregon Ranks 2nd in Denying College Aid for Drugs Convictions

Some people apparently feel that, regardless of what else a kid's done to earn going to college, a drug conviction automatically nullifies all that. Their world-view says that every finite offense is an excuse to marginalize that person forever, beyond the punishments already imposed by the justice system. They love to jump in and heap an un-ending stream of *extra* punishments by saying 'you shouldn't have that, you didn't earn it' everytime someone catches a good break. Well, none of us earned the priviledge of being born in a wealthy country, or of being born at all. Before you get enthusiastic about cutting off the opportunities of others because they didn't *earn* them, stop and consider all the opportunities you recieved without earning them in advance (if ever), and see if actively holding people down still seems like such a great idea.

I grew up in Silverton, and I chose not to do drugs as a youth. I was subject to all of the peer pressure and temptations that other kids were. As a result of staying away from drugs, I received financial aid, and a college education. I am not special or gifted, I just know what is right and what is wrong. Using drugs is wrong. If kids are too stupid and irresponsible to avoid drugs, they do not deserve the assistance of financial aid. That money should go to students who work hard, avoid drugs, and have demonstrated a desire to do what is right, and go to school. The denial of aid due to drug conviction should stand. It should, however be explained to high school students more. Perhaps if students knew they were risking their future college opportunities by using drugs, it will give them another reason to leave drugs alone.