Don't let Congress hold education funding hostage to drug war politics.

RaiseYourVoice.com

Submitted by Evergreene Digest Contributing Editor Ken Mitchell

The Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform (CHEAR) is a coalition of religious, criminal justice, drug treatment, education, civil rights, health organizations, and victims seeking to repeal the Drug Provision of the Higher Education Act (also known as the "Aid Elimination Penalty,") a 1998 law that delays or denies federal financial aid to people convicted of state or federal drug offenses. Since taking effect in the fall of 2000, roughly 200,000 students have been denied aid. These young people, who have already been punished for their offenses, are now dropping out of school or reducing their course loads because they cannot afford the high cost of tuition.

Since that time, a major student-led campaign to overturn the law has spread to hundreds of campuses around the nation. In early 2006, Congress restricted the reach of the provision to offenses committed while a student is in college and receiving federal aid. Last year, a bill by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) to repeal the law in full -- the Removing Impediments to Students; Education (RISE) Act, H.R. 1184, garnered 70 cosponsors. CHEAR is now working for passage of the RISE Act in the 110th Congress or its inclusion in the upcoming Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization bills.

Support for CHEAR's efforts is greater than ever before! There are now 335 organizations on record calling for full repeal of the drug provision, 170 of which signed our February 21 sign-on letter to Congress. We are optimistic of repealing this law during the 110th Congress! Please join our efforts to make this happen now!

Now is the time to contact your representative!!!

Please take a moment to use our web site to send a letter to Congress telling your US Representative and Senators to actively support the full repeal of this msiguided and ineffective policy. Please use the menu links at the top of the page to get extensive information on the issue and find out how to get involved.