Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jul 2003
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Copyright: 2003 Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365

BUSH ADMINISTRATION ENLISTS FAITH GROUPS TO FIGHT DRUGS

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration's latest effort to expand the 
role of religious organizations in government services enlists church-based 
youth groups in anti-drug programs.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy is offering guides, brochures 
and a Web site to provide information for leaders of religious youth groups 
to use in teaching - or preaching - a message against using drugs.

"Religious institutions are an enormously powerful influence on young 
people," said John P. Walters, director of the office, yesterday. "A lot of 
faith-based communities don't know how to talk about drug use. There's a 
need for a tool like this."

A study published in March by the American Psychological Association found 
that teenagers were less likely to use marijuana if they thought religion 
was important to their lives.

Joining Walters to tout the new initiative were representatives from 
Christian, Jewish and Islamic organizations.

"Our churches must be a vehicle through which valuable information can be 
disseminated," said Brenda Girton-Mitchell, associate general secretary for 
public policy for the National Council of Churches.

Critics of the administration's religious initiatives said spiritual groups 
are already fighting drug use among their members, and don't need the 
federal government to get involved.

"It's another example of how the Bush administration is obsessed with 
finding a faith-based solution to every social and medical problem," said 
the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for 
Separation of Church and State, a watchdog group. "Most of the 
denominations have anti-drug programs. Many combine good science with their 
own personal religious message, but they do so without federal funds, and 
that's how it ought to be."

The government is providing a 100-page guide to youth leaders. The brochure 
suggests that youth leaders discuss peer pressure and lead prayers asking 
for strength to say no to "bad influences." For older kids, it suggests a 
discussion of what their faith teaches about drug abuse.

A priority of the Bush administration is to break long-standing barriers to 
federal funds for religious groups. But it has been unsuccessful in urging 
Congress to pass sweeping legislation to open government programs to such 
organizations.

Bush issued an executive order in December allowing religious groups that 
receive federal grants, contracts or other funds to hire and fire workers 
based on religion.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom