SSDP Becoming a Respected Voice on Capitol Hill

In addition to achieving positive results in the efforts to repeal the HEA Aid Elimination Penalty and defund the government’s “anti-drug” propaganda campaign, SSDP has been making other inroads on Capitol Hill, becoming an increasingly respected source of information on drug policies that affect young people and students.

SSDP Cited in Federal Report

SSDP was recently cited in the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s report to Congress on the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity. In crafting recommendations on how Congress should address sentencing laws that punish crack offenders 100 times more harshly than powder cocaine offenders, the Commission solicited comments from the public.

Taking the opportunity to weigh in on this important issue, SSDP submitted a letter outlining how the current sentencing scheme particularly impacts students.

The amount of crack that currently triggers an automatic felony charge and a mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction is just five grams, while the amount necessary to trigger a felony charge and mandatory minimum for powder cocaine is 500 grams.

Students have a particular interest in seeing these penalties equalized because the current sentencing scheme can hamper eligibility for the Hope Scholarship Credit, which is unavailable to taxpayers with felony drug convictions. In 2003 alone, about 3.5 million taxpayers took advantage of the credit.

Students who are ineligible for the money-saving credit because of drug convictions are less likely to be able to afford tuition and are more likely to drop out, which hurts students and society as a whole.

SSDP also expressed concern over the racial impact of the disparity, which is commonly accepted to be a leading cause of the overwhelmingly increased rate at which people of color are sentenced to long jail terms.

SSDP’s letter is mentioned on page C-7 of the Commission’s report, which can be read at http://www.ussc.gov/r_congress/cocaine2007.pdf

SSDP Speaks at Briefing on Capitol Hill

SSDP’s executive director, Kris Krane, recently spoke at a well-attended staff briefing on Capitol Hill about anti-youth drug policies including the ONDCP media campaign, student drug testing, and the D.A.R.E. program.

Speaking alongside the Drug Policy Alliance’s Marsha Rosenbaum, Krane outlined why each of these aspects of the government’s War on Drugs hurts, not helps, young people. While Rosenbaum offered important scientific information as an educator, Krane provided SSDP’s vital perspective on why young people react negatively to punitive drug policies.

“It’s important that Congress take into account the views of the young people who these policies are supposedly aimed at helping,” said Krane. “It’s good to know that there are staffers on Capitol Hill who agree, and who were willing to take the time during their busy day to come listen to us talk about these important issues.”

As SSDP grows, decision-makers are increasingly turning to our network as a trusted source of information on how the War on Drugs isn’t working and what can be done about it.

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