only the variables p, u and sect_count need to be outside the string, not the % signs:
Code:
ssql="select drawings.date_recd,drawings.date_revd,drawings.dtype,sectors.sect_area,sectors.sect_count,drawings.name from drawings,sectors where drawings.name=sectors.name and drawings.dtype like ('%"&p&"%') and sectors.sect_area like ('%"&u&"%') and sectors.sect_count like ('%"§_count&"%') "