ABORTION FIGURES IN ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM

PITTSBORO - Lynn Webster was driving her son and his friends to a
hockey game Friday night when she overheard them talking about a
murderer visiting their high school.

That's when she learned a speaker from a Christian organization had
told students she'd murdered three children by having abortions while
she was a drug addict.

The organization, Teen Challenge, was paid by several area churches
to speak at Chatham's middle and high schools last week about
abstinence and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Now, some Northwood High School parents want to meet with school
officials. And a Duke University constitutional law expert says the
assemblies violated the First Amendment.

"The biggest issue to me is what are [school officials] thinking,
bringing in any group grounded in religion?" said Webster, whose
freshman son attended the Northwood assembly last week.

Northwood Principal Carrie Little confirmed that Debby DiBianca of
Teen Challenge used the word murder when she talked about her three
abortions and five miscarriages. But Little said the presentation,
which also included songs and dance, was not religious.

"There were no religious undertones," she said. Teen Challenge is a
national organization that provides recovery services for young
alcoholics and drug addicts. According to its Web site, the programs
are "founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ." "Instead of 'dope'
pushers, Teen Challenge ministries are serving as 'hope' pushers,"
the site says.

The organization runs treatment centers across the country, including
one near Carthage, N.C. Sal and Debby DiBianca, the couple who lead
the Carthage program, also travel the state for presentations where
Debby DiBianca, a graduate of the program, shares her story.

"We basically educate students to stay alcohol free," using personal
experiences, Sal DiBianca said.

They also speak about abstinence, he said. "We tell them to save
themselves until marriage," he said. They don't push antiabortion
messages or proselytize in schools, he said. He could not recall his
wife using the word murder.

Erwin Chemerinsky, a Duke law professor and constitutional scholar,
said requiring students to attend an assembly with a Christian
organization "clearly violates the First Amendment," which says
government cannot favor one religion over another.

"If they want to provide an after-school program," that is fine, he
said. "But to have a required assembly where a religious group
delivers a religious message -- even in part -- violates the First
Amendment." Webster says she wants the school to adopt a policy that
prohibits religious organizations from coming to the schools.

There are plenty of secular substance abuse programs, she said. Plus,
"the message my son got ... was abortion is bad even though it was 60
minutes on don't do drugs."

Churches paid tab Webster, who has received e-mail from parents also
upset about the assembly, has asked Little to meet with them and the
superintendent. But, she said, Little told her she's busy the next
few weeks and suggested Webster take it up with the school board.

Superintendent Ann Hart did not return calls seeking comment, but a
school spokeswoman said Hart approved the group's appearances, as did
the principals.

George Greger-Holt, Chatham's Safe Schools counselor, said he
attended the assembly at Chatham Central High School and did not hear
any religious references.

"They told their stories, which aren't pretty, and they aren't pretty
for a reason," he said.

DiBianca mentioned her abortions, Greger-Holt said, "but it was in
the context of 'I was young and making bad choices.' "

Greger-Holt said Teen Challenge was allowed to speak because it
approached school officials and the program was free to the schools.
"I get things all the time from people who want to talk to students,
but they cost $1,000," Greger-Holt said. "We have no money.
Unfortunately, when someone approaches us, and we have good reviews,
there would be no reason not to have them come."

Several area churches picked up Teen Challenge's tab, said Brian
Sandifer, the pastor at Oakley Baptist Church in Siler City.

But he wouldn't say how much the churches were paying Teen Challenge
for the school assemblies.