The National Drug Commission has hired an overseas firm to analyse student drug use.

And results from the survey, conducted by the NDC last year, are expected to be known by June.

NDC Chief Executive Officer, Derrick Binns, explained that the results were scheduled to be released last November.

But his promotion from research officer to CEO meant he was unable to complete the data analysis. Dr. Binns yesterday told The Royal Gazette the NDC has since contracted a Washington-based firm to analyse the collected data.

"They are planning to give us some feedback on that data about the end of June,'' he said. The NDC has interviewed candidates and is currently in the process of filling the position of research officer.

Dr. Binns said the unusual overseas move was "to keep the operation going while the post is vacant''.

The student surveys have been conducted for the past 15 years on a roughly three-year cycle. In 1995, the first adult population survey was carried out and the next will take place later this year.

"There is a possibility that we might choose to increase the frequency because the difficulty is that over a three-year time frame if we see a difference in the results, it's hard to determine what the difference is attributed to,'' Dr. Binns explained.

"So many things can happen in three years time, so we may choose to compress the time frame.

"On the other hand we are also building an information system. We'll be collecting data on a regular basis and with that filling in the gaps we may not need to compress the surveys.'' While student surveys were able to capture the entire school population, only a representative sample was feasible and necessary for the adult survey.

Dr. Binns said: "We aim for about 1,500 (people). That's a good sample size for the adult population survey.

"We believe with those kinds of numbers we'll be able to get a good generalisation for the total population.'' In 1995, surveyors visited homes of sampled adults but the same method may not be used this year.

Dr. Binns pointed out the adults polled were randomly selected and strict measures were taken to ensure the privacy of respondents. It is hoped the 1997 survey will help to ascertain the root causes of substance abuse on the Island.

"What are those factors that make it more likely for someone to begin drug use?'' he asked. "And on the other side what are those factors that protect persons from starting drug use?'' SURVEY SUR