The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) and other addiction and prevention organizations fired off a letter objecting to Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) calling them "drug legalization groups" because they oppose his legislation penalizing students with drug convictions by stripping their federal college aid.

The Hill reported Nov. 14 that Souder wrote a "Dear Colleague" letter on Nov. 1 seeking to rally support for his measure, which he said was "facing assault by a small but determined coalition of drug-legalization groups."

Some drug-reform groups oppose the legislation, such as Students for Sensible Drug Policy, but opponents also include groups like the International Nurses Society on Addictions and the American Federation of Teachers. "We, the undersigned, want to make clear that opposition to the Aid Elimination Penalty is not in any way dependent on support for broad drug legalization," according to a letter sent to Souder by NCADD and 16 other organizations. "We oppose the Aid Elimination Penalty for numerous reasons. It primarily punishes poor students who rely on scholarships."

The groups asked to meet with Souder to discuss the legislation further.