President Bush today met with leaders of faith-based groups that work with AIDS victims in Africa, and heard from one woman who said that a number of her patients have a problem with alcoholism.

"That alcohol will get you ever time," said Mr. Bush, who is thought to have struggled with alcohol abuse until his 40th birthday (he is now 61).

The president's retort was sparked by comments from Martha Mwape Chilufya, who runs an AIDS treatment center in Zambia. Mrs. Chilufya's husband died in 1999 from AIDS-related health problems.

-- Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times