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programs for children down to the 5th grade and 6th grade. The young hear about this program, Mr. Blout said, through individual teachers. When the Board asked Mr. Blout questions on statistics of drug use in Lexington he could not quote any figures in regard to this but he sug- gested that the Board go through Human Services to request the Selectmen for funds to do a survey. Mr. Blout said the town certainly has enough money to do this. Not one person present could really quote statistics or have ever done a survey to see what percent of the young population really needs help. Judy Cohen of B.A.S.E. (Basic Alcohol Safety Education) explained her program that BASE deals with alcohol users. The program is introduced into the curriculum. It is a peer program where young people talk to other young people. It was stated that Replace and BASE have not coordinated with each other in the past years. People can use Replace's services because alcohol is considered a drug. It has been separated in our society. Jean Sidman is a social worker and she said that the young people con- finde in her. She said she can talk to them and sometimes "canes denial" that they have a problem but then they feel more comfortable and will tell her their problems. The Board asked if they have any statistics broken down on the users and abusers of alcohol. BASE does not deal with abusers of alcohol. Al- cohol is a drug although the two seem to get separated. Mr. David Wilson, Assistant Principal of the High School, said "pot" is striking 7th and 8th graders. Education needs to be started in lower grades. Schools need to dwell on why kids turn to drugs. Some it is lack of esteem, some turn to escape the everyday problems, broken homes, etc. Hardcore youngsters are not going to be dealt with through agencies, schools, etc. The group kept talking about the town establishing a survey and then get a wide range of residents, not just the schoold, to look into the problem. Mitchell Rosenberg said there is a lot of adults (parents) on drugs in this town, also. How can we talk to parents about their kids on drugs when they, the parents, are on drugs themselves. The group all agreed that in many cases the parents are not interested in their children's schooling, etc. You just cannot talk to parents about their child's problem of drugs - when the parents are on drugs themselves. Mr. Wilson said the "divorce" problem in this town is horrendous. They said the parents who are interested in their child's schooling are usually the parents whose children are doing well. Dr. Goldmann asked if the group here tonight has tackled the problem in the town as a whole town. The group all answered "no". 1 1