American Notes DRUGS

After weeks of rumblings, federal drug czar William Bennett last week unveiled an $80 million emergency plan for an assault on the drug-and-murder epidemic in Washington. But the proposal looked more like an outline for a skirmish than for an all-out offensive.

Bennett snubbed Washington's embattled local government by failing to invite any of its representatives to the press conference at which the plan was announced. He went on to castigate the administration of Mayor Marion Barry, saying it "has failed to serve its citizens." Finally, he disclosed a set of measures that may put more dealers behind bars but is likely to do little to curb rampant drug use. Local police will get help from 82 federal agents. A 500-bed detention facility will be built in the District and more beds will be available in a federal prison in Maryland. Drug treatment will gain only 300 beds instead of the 1,040 the city asked for. Will Bennett's battle plan do much to help the nation's capital kick the habit? Given the czar's imperiousness and the swirl of rumors surrounding Barry, whose friendship with an accused drug dealer is under investigation, that is far from certain.