++____________________ +++ILLUSTRATION BY +++HENRIK DRESCHER

SALON OFFERS A WEEK'S WORTH OF SPECIAL FEATURES ON LEGAL DRUGS. HERE'S THE LINEUP: MONDAY, JULY 14, 1997: IN DRUGS WE TRUST By Scott Rosenberg Why do Americans make war on some drugs and build fortunes on others? TAKE THE PILLS, GUYS By Andrew Ross Why do men kill themselves rather than seek help for depression? TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1997: FIGHTING THE BIG MONSTER WITH A LITTLE KNIFE By Cintra Wilson Or, adventures with anti-depressants. GEN RX By Jenn Shreve The collegiate drug mantra used to be "Tune in, turn on, drop out." Now, it's "avoid all disturbing mental states." A member of the Prozac generation looks back. MELATONIN MANIA By Morris Dye It treats cancer, enhances sexual pleasure and boosts the immune system! Well, maybe not, but it sure helps jet lag. (In Wanderlust) WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1997: READIN', RITIN', AND RITALIN By Arthur Allen Do psychoactive drugs really help children -- or just make them fit in? MEDITATION vs. MEDICATION By Joan Smith You can elevate your soul with spiritual discipline -- but some psychological suffering can only be alleviated with chemicals. THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1997: NO SEX PLEASE, WE'RE MEDICATED By Lori Leibovich Antidepressants help many people recover their enthusiasm for life -- sometimes at the price of their libido. FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1997: WHY TAKE A TRIP WHEN YOU CAN SIP? By Josh Kornbluth Coffee's more than just a drug -- it's a lifelong companion. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1997: POND SCUM OR GREEN GOLD? By Andrew Leonard From cyberspace to Klamath Lake, a hunt for the truth about blue-green algae reveals the secret ecology of information