A sampling survey was carried out in Algiers with the aim of improving epidemiological understanding of drug consumption. By a direct face-to-face interviewing, 936 households were surveyed, i.e. 7,217 individuals. The overall prevalence of regular drug consumption was 104.3%. The one of drug consumption during the month prior to the survey was 92.1%. Subjects aged 65 years and older had the highest prevalence (37.6%) of regular consumption; the most frequently consumed drugs were then antihypertensive agents accounted for 19.1% of all drugs used. The most frequently consumed drugs by children under age 15 years were antimicrobials accounted for 41.2% of total drug use. Women were more likely to use drugs than men. There was an association between social class and drug consumption; the lower the social class of individuals, the lower their consumption. The household surveys seem to be an interesting source of data on drug use.