THE PATIENT POPULATION RECEIVED COUNSELING AND METHADONE SERVICES THROUGH THE DRUG PROGRAM OF THE WEST PHILADELPHIA (PA.) COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM, INC., BETWEEN OCTOBER 1972 AND JANUARY 1973. DEPENDING ON WHETHER THEIR USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS INCREASED, DECREASED, OR REMAINED THE SAME OVER THE REPORTING PERIOD, THE PATIENTS WERE CATEGORIZED AS SUCCESSFUL, UNSUCCESSFUL, OR NO CHANGE. THE PATIENTS' TREATMENT PROGRESS WAS THEN EXAMINED RELATIVE TO COUNSELOR BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS OF AGE, SEX, RACE, SPECIALITY, YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, LENGTH OF TIME IN THE DRUG PROGRAM, DRUG ADDICTION BACKGROUND, AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND. COUNSELORS WHO HAD ATTAINED A HIGHER LEVEL OF EDUCATION (BEYOND THE BACHELOR'S LEVEL) PROVED MORE EFFECTIVE IN HELPING THEIR PATIENTS ACHIEVE THE PROGRAM GOAL OF DECREASED USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS. IMPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF STUDY FINDINGS ARE POINTED OUT, AND DIRECTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH ARE SUGGESTED. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)