This study investigated the extent and nature of substance use among urban secondary schools in the Northern Province in South Africa. The sample included 191 urban Standard 9 (Year 11) secondary school pupils chosen at random from three urban schools in Pietersburg. The pupils were 86 boys, and 105 girls whose ages ranged from 17 to 25 years (mean = 19.1 years; standard deviation = 2.5 years). Data pertaining to prevalence and frequency of drug use were obtained from a 123-item substance use questionnaire by the World Health Organisation. The three most predominantly used substances (current and; lifetime) are in descending order: alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. There was a significant positive relationship between availability, history of substance in the family, attitude towards substance use, socioeconomic status, gender and substance use.