U.S. FAITH GROUPS TO FIGHT DRUG USE

White House officials unveiled a program Thursday that aims to help
religious groups keep teenagers off drugs, underscoring administration
efforts to forge partnerships between faith-based organizations and the
federal government.

The project -- consisting of an 86-page booklet and pamphlets to aid
religious youth leaders in talking to teens about drug use - involved
spiritual leaders, the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy
and the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

The booklet, "Pathways to Prevention," suggests activities, prayers and
discussion techniques for youth groups in mosques, synagogues and churches
to help adolescents resist peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol.

The federal government and independent groups paid $115,000 to develop and
print 75,000 booklets.