GOP CONVENTION NOTEBOOK

`DON'T WORK . . . DON'T EAT'

Bush Supports `Severe Mercy' For Teens In Drug Rehab

PHILADELPHIA - Ignore the syrup dripping from this Republicans-R-Nice
convention.

Deep in the heart of his latest book, Renewing America's Purpose: Policy
Addresses Of George W. Bush, July 1999-July 2000, the Texas governor brags
that he supports programs that starve bad kids.

"At Teen Challenge - a national drug treatment program - one official says,
`We have a rule: If you don't work. You don't eat.' This is demanding love
- - at times, a severe mercy," he writes. "Self-control and character and
goal-setting give direction and dignity to all our lives."

No advice on hunger control.

- --non-drug-policy-relevant remainder snipped--