|
According to a section of the Higher Education Act, legislation creating federal grant and loan programs for colleges and universities, students who have a drug conviction are unable to receive federal financial aid.
The national SSDP organization has filed a lawsuit against the government in an effort to repeal this section of the Higher Education Act.
Formed last fall, SSDP is one of the progressive student organizations on campus that fights for drug-related reform. Another is the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
"Drugs are a hot-ticket issue," said sophomore Jenny Cooke, co-leader of SSDP. "The stigma associated with drug policy reform is the main challenge."
Cooke said sometimes students who have a criminal drug history are prejudged.
"Maybe these (drug users) were at a difficult and trying time in their lives and now they are trying to expand their education and they cannot (because of the Act)," said Cooke, who is also an intern for the national chapter of SSDP.
"We are a progressive movement for the reformation of drug policy," she said. "Our primary objective is to reduce harm (brought about by drug policy) and to educate."
GW SSDP protested in December against Drug Enforcement Agency raids in California at the DEA building in Washington, D.C. This year, GW SSDP will be expanding its involvement to include participation in the group's international conference and congressional lobby day taking place from Nov. 17 to 19 at the Georgetown Law School. Cooke said the event is expected to draw people from across the globe to discuss drug policy change.
