AFGHAN YOUTH SHOUT SUPPORT FOR 'FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS'

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A giant white banner strung across a war-ruined
building urged the Islamic faithful Wednesday to shun drug use and
production - a message hammered home during a ceremony to mark an
international day against drug abuse and trafficking.

"Will you fight against drugs?" newly elected President Hamid Karzai asked
a group of young girls, their heads covered in bright red scarves. "Yes,"
they shouted.

Shouts of support also came from rows of young boys, all wearing white
shirts with the slogan "Sports against drugs," gathered for the ceremony at
Kabul University to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking.

With the collapse of the hard-line Taliban regime - which banned the
growing of the crimson poppies from which farmers extract opium, the raw
material for heroin production - farmers in Afghanistan ripped up their
wheat crops and planted poppies.