IN SEPTEMBER, 1971, PROJECT 25, COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 25'S DRUG PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAM, WAS ESTABLISHED IN RESPONSE TO DRUG USE OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS IN NEW YORK CITY. THE BULK OF THE PROGRAM'S FUNDING CAME FROM THE STATE. THE POPULATION OF DISTRICT 25 IS CONSIDERED TO REPRESENT A MICROCOSM OF THE POPULATION OF NEW YORK CITY, WITH EACH AREA INHIBITED BY PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS AND DIFFERING ECONOMIC STATUS. FOR EFFECTIVE SATURATION OF THE PROGRAM INTO ALL OF THESE AREAS, THE DISTRICT WAS DIVIDED INTO 6 ACTION CLUSTERS, WITH THE PROGRAM IN EACH CLUSTER IMPLEMENTED BY A TEAM CONSISTING OF A COORDINATOR, A COUNSELOR, A GROUP WORKER, A FAMILY WORKER, TWO STREET WORKERS, AND A PART-TIME SECRETARY. SERVICES ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO GENERAL AREAS--PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION. THE MOST INTENSIVE SERVICE IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE ALTERNATE SCHOOL. PARTICIPANTS IN THE SCHOOL HAVE UNDERGONE EXTENSIVE SCREENING WITH SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND PROJECT STAFF. PARENTS OF THE STUDENTS BEING CONSIDERED ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN SCREENING INTERVIEWS. STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO THE ALTERNATE SCHOOL ATTEND FOR AN AVERAGE OF 1 YEAR. THE STUDENT MUST COMPLETE 5 PHASES, EACH WITH SPECIFIC BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES. THE PSYCHOLOGIST CONDUCTS WEEKLY STATIC GROUPS FOR IDENTIFIED PROBLEM STUDENTS, PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS, PARTICIPATES IN FAMILY CONFERENCES, AND ACTS AS LIAISON TO MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES, THERAPISTS, HOSPITALS, AND RELATED AGENCIES. THE TEACHERS PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION ON THE BASIS OF A CONTRACT SYSTEM ACCORDING TO GRADE AND ABILITY LEVELS. STANDARDIZED TESTS, REPORT CARDS, PARENT CONFERENCES, AND HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATIONS ARE HANDLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS A REGULAR SCHOOL. TEACHERS MEET DAILY WITH THERAPEUTIC STAFF BEFORE AND AFTER CLASS. WEEKLY PARENT GROUP MEETINGS ARE ALSO REQUIRED. IT IS BELIEVED THE PROGRAM DESCRIBED CAN BE USED IN ANY TYPE OF COMMUNITY. (RCB)