address substance abuse in Bermuda's schools, says NDC chairman Mr. Mansfield (Jim) Brock.

Mr. Brock said the NDC has recommended that: The Education Act be amended to allow school authorities to test children suspected of abusing drugs or alcohol; The Education Ministry train an existing clinical psychologist or hire a new one to assess the severity of substance dependency in school children; American residential treatment homes be used to treat Bermudian students with severe substance problems, at least in the short term; and the Ministry of Health and Social Services hire an adolescent drug counsellor for Addiction Services.

Until action is taken, "we have no idea how many people there are who are drug dependent in the schools, and we have no idea how severe they are,'' Mr.

Brock said.

But Government is moving on the recommendations, he said.

Addiction Services has either already hired or is about to hire an adolescent counsellor.

And agreements have been reached with Phoenix House in New York and Hazelton in Minnesota to accept addicted students from Bermuda, he said. Phoenix House, which Mr. Brock has visited, includes a boarding school in Yorktown Heights.

Funds were being sought both from Government and the private sector. "The NDC is prepared to work with the Ministry in terms of financing some of these students who may be in need of treatment which we cannot as yet provide in Bermuda,'' Mr. Brock said.

In time, "it will be necessary for us to develop residential treatment facilities in Bermuda, not just for children, but for adults. However, we have to try and deal with the here and now.'' An adult treatment facility was needed first. It was premature to talk about an adolescent treatment facility in Bermuda until an assessment capability was in place.