Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2003
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2003 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Page: A9
Author: Jonathon D. Salant, Associated Press

DRUG WAR ENLISTS CHURCH YOUTH GROUPS

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

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

"Religious institutions are an enormously powerful influence on young 
people," John P. Walters, director of the office, said in announcing the 
program 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 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-Mitchassociate general secretary for 
public policy for the National Council of Churches.

Critics of the administration's religious initiatives said spiritual groups 
were already fighting drug use among their members and did not need the 
federal government to get involved.

"It's another example of how the Bush administration is obsessed with 
finding a faithbased 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 antidrug programs," he said. "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. "As a youth 
leader, you are in an ideal position to influence youth by illustrating the 
practical power of faith in your life," the brochure says.

It suggests that youth leaders discuss peer pressure and lead prayers 
asking for strength to say no to "bad influences."

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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart