The epidemic of substance abuse in the young has assumed alarming dimensions in India. Changing cultural values, increasing economic stress and dwindling supportive bonds are contributing factors.The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) showed 3.8% children to be smokers and 11.9% using smokeless tobacco [1]. Most studies in India were done on the lower socioeconomic section such as the survey by Bansal, et al. [2], which showed 45% street children using varied substances. Most previous studies demonstrate alcohol as the commonest substance used (60-98%) followed by cannabis (4-20%) [3].

We conducted a survey among adolescents aged 12-16 years studying in high school in three prominent urban schools in Bangalore. All participants (n=354) (56.7% females) whose parents consented were administered a questionnaire. Results are shown in Table I, The most common substances abused included alcohol (28%) and glue-sniffing (20.2%), with a near equal gender distribution. 15.4% reported a relative and 15.3% a peer as the first person to introduce them to the substance. The most common reason for using any substance was "curiosity" to try a new substance in 16.9% cases, "enjoyment" in 12.2% and "to be accepted by others" in 12%. Smoking and consumption of cannabis and cocaine was limited to boys only.

TABLE I	Profile of Substance Abuse among Urban School going Adolescents in Bangalore (N=354).

Contrary to the popular belief that smoking was the most common substance abused, we found prevalence of smoking to be quite low [4]. Hookah consumption was tried and used by a significant number of adolescents. Inspite of a ban issued in Bangalore against Hookah cafes, they continue to thrive in the city and contribute to a huge number of children being addicted to the same. This; however, may not reflect the situation in other parts of India, as hookah consumption is closely linked to the availability and presence of joints in the vicinity. We also found ‘sniffing’ being high prevalent among urban adolescents. A previous review of all substance abuse in India has not reported this finding [5].