ABSENTEEISM, REACHING THE RATE OF ALMOST 20 PERCENT OF STUDENTS, AND THE RESULTANT LOSS OF FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS TO THE SCHOOLS WERE A MAJOR CONCERN OF THE COMMITTEE. THEY ALSO HEARD TESTIMONY REGARDING THE AGE GROUPS MOST INVOLVED IN DRUG USE, THE KINDS OF DRUGS USED (PCP, MARIHUANA, ALCOHOL, COCAINE, AND HALLUCINOGENS), WHO IS SELLING THEM, AND THE SOURCES OF SUPPLY. ANOTHER TARGET OF INVESTIGATION WAS THE EXTENT AND SUCCESS OF PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS. PRELIMINARY STUDIES HAD SHOWN THAT LESS THAN 50 PERCENT OF GRADES 7 TO 12 HAD TAKEN PART IN SUCH PROGRAMS, AS SCHOOLS ARE RELUCTANT TO IDENTIFY DRUG USERS TO THE AUTHORITIES. TESTIMONIES AND PREPARED STATEMENTS WERE RECEIVED FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVES, INVESTIGATORS AND CONSULTANTS FOR THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL, AND OTHER INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS, AND SPOKESMEN FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. (RFC)