SCHRIEVER CHURCH WANTS TO BE A DRUG-FREE ZONE

HOUMA -- Members of a Schriever Baptist church will have to wait for an
attorney general's opinion to see if they can establish a Drug-Free Zone
around their house of worship.

Terrebonne Parish Council members voted Wednesday to ask for the opinion
and to refer the matter regarding the Morning Star Baptist Church to the
council's Community, Development and Planning Committee.

Councilman Wayne Thibodeaux voted against the measure. Having placed the
item on the agenda, he pushed for immediate action rather than having to
wait for an opinion.

"The church is a leader in this community," he said. "We ought to be
standing in line first to help them."

Deacons from the church's board asked the council to approve the resolution.

A Drug-Free Zone would establish tougher penalties for anyone convicted of
drug offenses within 1,000 feet of the church, at 108 Livas Lane in Schriever.

"Actions include illicit activities involving the illegal use and sale of
drugs which have and is negatively impacting the quality of life for the
senior citizens and youths in the community," the church's statement says.

Parish Attorney Carolyn McNabb told the council state law states that only
schools, public housing, drug-rehabilitation facilities and recreation
facilities may have Drug-Free Zones created by local officials.

Thibodeaux claimed his research includes religious buildings in that list.
McNabb disagreed. The two will now have to wait for an attorney general's
opinion to settle the argument.

McNabb noted that the church has the ability to post signs and establish
its grounds as a Drug-Free Zone on its own, with the zone extending 1,000
feet around it.

"Extraordinary criminal penalties would apply," she told the council and an
unconvinced Thibodeaux.

Council members Harold Lapeyre and Christa Duplantis were also confused by
the parish's apparent inability to declare the zone.

"It stands to reason that if you can develop a Drug-Free Zone around a
school, you can do it around a church," Lapeyre reasoned.