hite House drug czar Gen. Barry McCaffrey yesterday told the National Day of Prayer rally in Washington that the White House intends to enlist churches and other religious groups in its latest effort to combat substance abuse. Citing fond memories of his days in parochial school as well as the alleged power of prayer, McCaffrey unveiled the Anti-Drug Faith Initiative, declaring "Never before in our nation's history has it been more important to pray for our young people."

   The Washington Post noted, "The initiative is one of a growing number of partnerships between government, usually at the state level, and religious institutions." The drug war general declared that the program would "preserve the separation of church and state," since his Office of National Drug Control Policy would only make "suggestions to churches" about the various outreaches they could implement. "McCaffrey has already met with Christian and Jewish leaders around the country to try to start drug programs in their community," added the paper.

   McCaffrey's announcement was made at the Washington, D.C. rally for the National Day of Prayer forum on Capitol Hill. 400 people crowded into the Cannon House Office Building room, where Shirley Dobson -- wife of Focus on the Family head James Dobson -- opened the event. Press handouts noted that McCaffrey was "representing the executive branch" of government with his appearance at the controversial gatherings.

   Describing prayer and what he termed "the big S" of spirituality, McCaffrey opined that just as praying had helped soldiers in Vietnam, a generation later it could play a valuable role in the drug war. "Prayer comes before change," he said. "Insight precipitates behavior."

   For state-church separationists, McCaffrey's remarks are a disturbing indicator of how far the rage with so-called "faith-based" initiatives and programs involving government and religion has gone. "Partnerships" between government agencies and religious organizations are widespread, and states like New Jersey have even established formal agencies to encourage such relationships. There is little oversight to guard against violations of the establishment clause.

   McCaffrey's "Faith Initiative" was presaged in June, 1997, when President Clinton signed into law the Drug-Free Communities Act. Gushing about the new legislation, Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH) declared that the legislation would "benefit communities that have mobilized key sectors -- parents, kids, businesses, churches, educators, law enforcement and others -- to reduce teenage drug use."

   While grants from such programs are theoretically not to be used for religious proselytizing, there is little oversight to ensure that faith-based organizations do not, in fact, use the funding in programs that subtly or overtly meld religious doctrine and "drug war" community efforts. McCaffrey's enthusiasm for prayer, as well as his willingness to share the podium with the fundamentalist-evangelical leadership of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, suggests that this "faith based" initiative could be another step in the goal of putting religious groups on the public payroll.

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