New York's Division of Substance Abuse Services conducted a major survey in 1989-1990 of students in grades five through twelve: past surveys of the Division had included only students in seventh through twelfth grades. Students in the fifth and sixth grades answered a separate, self-administered questionnaire, which included questions about the extent of exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. This report presents the findings for these younger students. The report's first section focuses on the youngsters' own substance use and exposure to substance use on the part of others. Overall, fifth- and sixth-grade students show low rates of substance use. Nevertheless, the study finds that many youngsters live in environments where their close friends use drugs, where they have been offered a variety of substances, and where they have witnessed others using illicit substances. Most dramatically, more than half of fifth and sixth grade students in New York City have seen "in real life" the use of some illicit substance, such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Section 2 focuses on the lines of communication to children that may have implications for the prevention of substance use. The findings document the special role played by parents and school personnel for these youngsters. Ten tables summarize statistical findings. (RJM)