WHITE HOUSE ENLISTS RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN ANTI-DRUG PROGRAMS

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

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

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

Critics of the administration's religious initiatives said spiritual
groups already are fighting drug use among their members, and don't
need the federal government to get involved.

"It's another example of how the Bush administration is obsessed with
finding a faith-based 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 anti-drug programs. 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." For older kids, the
brochure suggests a discussion of what their faith teaches about drug
abuse.

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.

Bush issued an executive order in December allowing religious groups
that receive federal grants, contracts or other funds to hire and fire
workers based on religion.