wfn.org | Drug Czar, NCC, Other Faith Leaders to Announce New Resources July

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

10 2003

National Council of Churches USA

July 9, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Faith Plays Key Role in Keeping Kids Drug-Free
Drug Czar to Announce New Resources for Faith Communities to Prevent Teen
Drug Use - 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, 2003

WHAT: Youth who consider religion an important part of their lives are half
as likely to try marijuana as kids who don't. John P. Walters, Director of
National Drug Control Policy,

Jim Towey, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives and national faith leaders will hold a press conference
highlighting new multi-denominational resources available to faith
communities to help keep teens drug-free. Resources include a drug
prevention activity guide, brochure, Web site and e-mail newsletter. The
effort is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy's National
Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, 2003

WHERE: National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC
20045 -- Murrow Room

SPEAKERS:

John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy

Jim Towey, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives

Brenda Girton-Mitchell, Assoc. General Secretary for Public Policy, National
Council of Churches USA

Dr. Sayyid Muhammad Syeed, Secretary-General, Islamic Society of North
America

Rabbi Eric Lankin, Director of Religious & Educational Activities, United
Jewish Communities

OTHER PARTICIPANTS:

Dr. Monifa Jumanne, Executive Director, Interdenominational Theological
Center (Atlanta, GA)

Rev. Eric Ovid Donaldson, Executive Director, One Church One Addict

Mark Meridy, Associate International Director, B'nai B'rith Youth
Organization

Barbara Anderson, Program Coordinator of Youth & Young Adults, Secretariat
for Family, Laity, Women & Youth, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Jennifer Haglof, National Association of Evangelicals

Reverend Cynthia Abrams, United Methodist Church General Board of Church &
Society, Program Director, Alcohol, Drugs & Other Addictions

Dr. Ron Hester, Coordinator, Faith and Community- Based Initiatives, Center
for Substance Abuse Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Other members of the faith and drug prevention community

AUDIO: An Audio News Release will be available on Friday, July 11 at
www.newstream.com

OTHER:

Churches, temples and mosques are well positioned to cultivate anti-drug
values and teach effective coping skills for dealing with peer pressure and
stress. Instilling strong values, rooted for many in religious faiths, helps
prevent teen marijuana use and other risky behaviors. More teens use
marijuana than all other illicit drugs combined.  Research shows that
marijuana can lead to a host of health, social, learning and behavioral
problems at a crucial time in young lives. Marijuana can be addictive and
teens using marijuana are also more likely to take risks, such as having
sex, engaging in violence, riding with someone who's driving while using
drugs or alcohol.

Media Contacts:  Jennifer deVallance (202) 395-6618 or Julie Tacinelli (202)
828-8807 (Office of National Drug Control Policy); Leslie Tune (202)
297-2191 (National Council of Churches)

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