CHURCH HAS DIFFERENT TAKE ON DRUG WAR

Manchester - Three months after the Unitarian Universalist Association
advocated the legalization of illicit drugs, the local chapter of the group
is to discuss the move during its worship services this weekend.

"The war on drugs is kind of a sacred cow," Bob Hewey, president of the
Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, said Friday. "You can't
even question what other alternatives may be."

What the national organization has proposed, Hewey explained, is, in part,
making prescriptions for illicit drugs legal so addicts can turn to their
doctors instead of their dealers in kicking the habit. Also, the money
spent on prosecution and incarceration of those convicted of drug crimes
needs to be rededicated to education, research, and treatment, the Bolton
resident said.

The discussions scheduled for the 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday services at the UUSE
meeting house, 153 W. Vernon St., Manchester, will include a
question-and-answer session following the services for those wanting to
talk about the organization's position.

"Rather than preach our take on it, we wanted also to offer a time for
people to ask questions," Hewey said, explaining he expects to hear the
comment that this proposal doesn't protect children.

And in response, "We'll be willing to talk about how that was some of the
same arguments during prohibition times," he said.

Hewey said the drug discussion would relate back to the organization's
seven guiding principles - including supporting the democratic process and
accepting one another - and focus on how the war on drugs defies these
standards.