A provision in the federal budget bill will allow students with past drug convictions to once again receive student aid, the Associated Press reported Feb. 4.

President Bush is expected to sign the measure into law, restoring benefits for students like Clarkson Reed, 56, a former heroin addict who lost his loan eligibility because of two old drug convictions. "It's good for me, and I'm glad, although it held me back for five years, five years when I'm not getting any younger, and five years when I could have been out doing more to help people with substance-abuse problems," said Reed.

However, current students who are convicted of drug offenses will still lose their federal aid for a year for a first offense, two years for a second offense, and indefinitely for a third offense. Drug-reform advocates would prefer that those penalties were dropped, too.

"I think some nontraditional students will benefit from the partial reform, but unfortunately tens of thousands of students will be left behind without the ability to pay for school," said Tom Angell, campaigns director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

But Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), chair of the House drug subcommittee, disagreed, saying the law would deter drug use. "Students who are dealing or using drugs while in college probably aren't making the most of their education," he added. ''That's one thing if they themselves are paying the bill, or if their parents are. It's something entirely different if the American taxpayer is asked to fund this kind of behavior."