Back in the 1960s a phrase often repeated went something like this: "If you're white, you're all right; if you're brown, stick around; if you're black, stay back."

This phrase aptly describes how the drug war relates to race when it comes to youth. The most recent data available (2001) support this idea. For instance, looking at national detention rates for juvenile drug offenders the rate (per 100,000) for whites was 3; for Hispanics it was 8; for blacks it was 22. In other words, black youth were more than 7 times more likely to be detained that white youth and almost 3 times more likely than Hispanics. Hispanic youth were almost 3 times more likely than whites to be detained.

As for those sent to juvenile "correctional" facilities (which are actually prisons, no matter what name they use), the same discrepancies are found. So white youths adjudicated for drug crimes had a committment rate of 11; for Hispanics the rate was 25; for black youth it was 70. The numbers speak for themselves.

Or do they? Some may charge that these differences may be explained by greater illegal drug use by blacks and Hispanics. This is patently not true. Survey after survey, covering at least two decades, show that there are few racial differences as far as illegal drug use is concerned. Some surveys even show whites having a higher rate of drug use.

There are many reasons why minorities are most often the target of drug enforcement. One is that their drug use is more often done in the open - on streets, alleys, housing projects. More privileged white youth can use their drugs in the privacy of their own homes out in the suburbs where police are less likely to be found.

Also, after an arrest and appearance in juvenile court, white youths have greater access to lawyers, parental involvement, drug treatment, etc.

Another phrase I often repeat in my classes is this: The imposition of a negative label ("criminal," "delinquent," "druggie," etc.) is an exercise in power. The greater power (and resources) one has, the greater the likelihood of resisting such labeling."

When it comes to power in our society, white youths have much greater access to it than racial minorities.

For more detail on these and other issues, see my latest book: "Delinquency and Juvenile Justice in American Society" (Waveland Press). To see this, go to my website (www.sheldensays.com).

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