Senate debates aid to drug offenders

Student drug offenders across Michigan may lose financial-aid benefits if the state Senate approves a series of 11 bills today.

The bills, which the Senate's Committee on Education have already passed, crack down on drug dealers and possessors who have received federal court orders by denying them student loans, grants and other forms of financial aid.

"The bottom line and basic requirement is that you do not break the law and receive tax payers' dollars for higher education," said state Sen. Loren Bennett (R- Canton), a co-sponsor of the bills. "The hope is that it will be a deterrent. It's one more reason for people not to take part in drug trafficking."

Bennett and other co-sponsors said the bills would both reduce drug use in Michigan and reinforce the federal government's Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, which first allowed federal judges to take away student loans, grants and other forms of financial aid.

"It's a part of an overall anti-drug campaign strategy," said State Sen. Bill Bullard (R-Milford), a co-sponsor of the bills. "We're implementing the federal statutes."

Although Bullard said he hopes to receive bipartisan support for the bills in today's session, Sen. Jim Berryman (D-Adrian) said there are many problems with the bills that the sponsors must address.

"My reaction is that this looks punitive," he said. "There are a lot of questions that I've asked that haven't been brought up. I'm confused why they're pushing this bill when it will affect few Michigan citizens."

These bills mark a trend in the state Legislature to impose unnecessary penalties, Berryman said.

"We do this over and over again and it's like once you've committed a felony, you might as well have a scarlet 'F' on your face," Berryman said. "There's a lot of other things we can be doing to get to the root of the problem. There are a whole lot of early intervention programs that we can deal with."

Sage Eastman, communications director for the Michigan Republican Party, said the bills will protect taxpayers' rights.

"This is a case of tough love, but we have to make sure the taxpayers' dollars are used appropriately," Eastman said. "What I think the bill will do is cut down on wasting taxpayers hard-earned money."

Both Berryman and state Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Twp.) said they will enter today's hearing with caution since the issue has the potential to back them both into a corner.

"It's one of those pieces of legislation that they use to set you up," Smith said. "It's a safe yes for everyone because there's no consequences."

Although the Committee on Education voted unanimously to send the bill to the Senate floor, Smith pointed out that a number of groups have opposed the bills from the beginning.

"The Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority and the Michigan Higher Education Student Loan Authority were opposed to the bills," Smith said. "The authority has adopted a position of no support for the bills."

Kinesiology first-year student Kelley Peters said this legislation worries her because it would not give students a second chance to redeem themselves after making poor decisions.

"It would be detrimental," Peters said. "If they don't need it, take it away. But for first time offenders, give them the aid."

But even if these bills pass, University students might not lose substantial funding, Smith said.

"In Washtenaw County, I think the judges would be hesitant and thoughtful to take (away funding), but I can't say what other judges would do," Smith said.

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