October.

Essential information from an American company will finally enable the National Drugs Commission to present its long-awaited schools drugs survey -- six months behind schedule.

The NDC has been hampered by a change in personnel during the compilation of the data and had to contract Virginia-based Development Associates to help complete the project.

NDC chief executive Derrick Binns said he was hoping the data would be in Bermuda by the end of the month, with public release coming shortly afterwards.

It is anticipated that the survey results will include information from junior schools, as well as high schools.

Every student was to be asked questions about drugs -- and officials are hoping it will give a true picture of drugs in Bermuda's schools.

Mr. Binns said the delays had come about when he was the research officer and was compiling the project, but was then made chief executive officer, whilst the research post remained vacant.

SURVEY SUR