PURSUANT TO ITS MANDATE FOR UNDERTAKING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE FEDERAL EFFORT TO CONTROL NARCOTICS AND DRUG ABUSE, THE SELECT COMMITTEE CONDUCTED HEARINGS DURING 1978. TESTIMONY REPORTED FROM THE HEARINGS INDICATES DIVERTED METHADONE IS ONE OF THE DRUGS MOST EASILY OBTAINED ON THE BLACK MARKET. ALTHOUGH THE METHADONE HAS BEEN USEFUL IN THE TREATMENT OF HEROIN ADDICTS, IT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN DEATHS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED METHADONE FROM TREATMENT PARTICIPANTS. THE PREPARED STATEMENTS OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL POINT TO AN ABUSE PROBLEM WITH TAKE-HOME METHADONE UNDER CURRENT RULES. IT IS REASONABLE TO CONCLUDE THAT CONSIDERABLE HARM COULD RESULT FROM ANY INCREASED LATITUDE ON TAKE-HOME DRUGS, AND THAT TIGHT FEDERAL CONTROL OF METHADONE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED. RESEARCH WITH L-ALPHA ACETYL METHADOL (LAMM) SHOULD BE CONTINUED, SINCE ITS LONG-LASTING EFFECT COULD NEGATE THE NEED FOR TAKE-HOME METHADONE. EXISTING TREATMENT PROGRAMS HAVE A 63 PERCENT MINORITY CLIENTELE, AND THE CONTINUATION OF SUCH PROGRAMS IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE (NIDA) SHOULD REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS FOR MINORITY ASSISTANCE. DRUG USE AMONG WOMEN, THE ELDERLY, AND THE VERY YOUNG IS DISCUSSED. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)