Fwd: How to convert a string to bytea?

["Chris Hoover" <revoohc@xxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chris Hoover <revoohc@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Aug 30, 2006 12:22 PM
Subject: How to convert a string to bytea?
To: "pgsql-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <pgsql-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

I am in need of some help.  I need to use the encode function against a text string in one of my pg/plsql functions.  However, the encode function expects a bytea field to be passed to it.  How do I convert my text string into a bytea?

Thanks,

Chris