BARIL WANTS FAITH-BASED DRUG REHAB

Stephen E. Baril, a candidate for the Republican nomination to run for
attorney general, said yesterday that if he's elected he will promote a
faith-based drug rehabilitation program for jail inmates.

Baril's opponent, Del. Robert F. McDonnell of Virginia Beach, has become
the first attorney-general candidate to advertise on television.

Baril, a Richmond lawyer, said he will pattern his program after Project
RISE, a program used in the Henrico County jail.

McDonnell's ad shows him as a tough-on-crime family man who is a
tax-cutting former prosecutor.

McDonnell and Baril will square off in the June 14 primary.

Standing in front of the Henrico jail with Sheriff Mike Wade, Baril said he
would allocate a deputy from the office of the attorney general to promote
RISE and similar faith-based programs for inmates. RISE stands for Recovery
in a Secure Environment.

The Henrico program has been recognized for its successes. Richmond has
copied it.

The Henrico program involves about 200 inmates and has a curriculum that
includes mental-health workbooks, Alcoholics Anonymous, Bible studies,
spiritual counseling and anger management.

A spokeswoman for McDonnell said he long has supported faith-based programs.

Wade, who began the jail program five years ago, has endorsed McDonnell. He
said yesterday he would work with either candidate.

The McDonnell ad has been running on cable TV stations in Virginia Beach
and Northern Virginia.