WAR ON DRUGS: BODY COUNT While most news media uncritically reported the Bush administration's self-congratulations for the decline in drug use, a few reporters dug into the numbers and came up with a very different picture. Micah Fink ("Extra!", september '92) pointed out that most illegal drug use has been declining since the late '70s, well before the official "war on drugs" was launched in 1986.

And Mike Males ("In these Times", may 20, 1992) reported that deaths from drugs have been steadily rising, even tough overall drug use is down. Males also reported statistics that challenge drug-war stereotypes and priorities. White adults over age 25 account for two thirds of all drug deaths, but only one-third of all the drug arrests. Minority groups account for 25 percent of drug deaths but 40 percent of drug arrests. Teenagers suffered only 4 percent of drug deaths, but account for 20 percent of drug arrests. "It may be argued," understates Males, "that the 'war on drugs' is a traditional attack on the young and minorities."