GOVERNMENT ENLISTS CHURCH-BASED YOUTH GROUPS IN WAR ON DRUGS

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 yesterday. "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.