Four hundred and thirty-eight students aged 16-18 years old from 4 private schools in Sydney anonymously completed a questionnaire on 10 different categories of drugs. These included cigarettes, alcohol, vitamin or food supplements, anti-inflammatory, drugs, pain-relieving drugs, drugs for asthma and nasal congestion, drugs to reduce body weight or body fluid, anabolic steroids, stimulant drugs, and sedatives or tranquilizers. This study found a significant association between athleticism and sporting reasons for using some of the listed drugs. This is exemplified in the use of vitamin preparations and food supplements to prepare for a sporting competition in both the male and female groups. The predominant reason given for the drug use was improvement of performance, except with alcohol which was used for celebration of a victory. In addition a significant proportion of the respondents indicated an intention to use drugs in the future to improve performance. The media was cited as the students' main source of information about drugs. Preventive measures including educational interventions are recommended. 8 tables and 22 references (Author abstract modified)