Background: India is the second most populous and substance producer in the world. WHO statistics (2000) show that India is high up in the list of danger countries because of population growth and high birth rate. The extent of worldwide psychoactive substance abuse is estimated at 2 billion alcohol users, 1.3 billion smokers and 185 million illicit drug users. In an initial estimate of factors responsible for the global burden of diseases, tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs together contributed 12.4% of all deaths world wide in the year 2000.Objectives of the study: 1. To assess the knowledge of PU College students on drug abuse before and after administration of health education programme. 2. To find the association between the selected demographic variables and pre test knowledge scores towards drug abuse.Methods: A descriptive evaluatory approach was used for this study. The study was carried out in one Pre–University Colleges of Belagavi District of Karnataka. The sample comprised of 100 students who were undergoing their Pre–University course in Science as there subject. Sample was selected by using multistage disproportionate stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected by administering a structured knowledge questionnaire before and after the health education programme. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results of this study showed that college students in general were having some knowledge about drug abuse and its adverse effects before the education programme.Mean knowledge score was (19.45).There was marked gain in knowledge after the health education programme (22.06). A relationship between knowledge scores and selected variables were noticed. The statistical significance was at 0.05 level.Interpretation and Conclusion: The findings of this study support the need for conducting educational programme to increase the knowledge of college students on drug abuse and its related problems. Educating the youth and providing them with correct information can help them to avoid bad habits and develop as healthy citizens. This study proved that college students had average knowledge on drug abuse and its effects before the health education programme and their knowledge increased to a remarkable extent after the health education programme. The findings of this study show that the health education programme was effective in terms of gaining knowledge and it should become part of their curriculum.