New Delhi: Former cricketer Maninder Singh was released on bail Wednesday after being arrested for possessing 1.5 grams of cocaine. Singh got bail on surety of Rs 50,000 after he was booked for possession, sale, consumption and purchase of drugs. Police said Maninder took to drugs nearly two years ago due to family problems but made it clear that he was into personal consumption.

Singh who is also a TV commentator is infact the second public face from the capital to be embroiled in a drug case in the past one year. In June 2006, slain BJP leader Pramod Mahajan's son Rahul Mahajan was hospitalised for an alleged overdose of drugs and alchohol. The same incident reportedly caused death of Bibek Maitra, Senior Mahajan's personal assistant.

In August 2005, Salil Chaturvedi owner of the multi-crore apparel brand 'Provogue' was arrested for possession of cocaine. Bollywood actor Fardeen Khan, Sanjay Dutt and Hollywood star Kate Moss are some of the famous personalities who confess to using cocaine. The question is, what is it that connects high-profile personas to substance abuse? Is drug abuse the ultimate symbol of a glamorous lifestyle?

On CNN-IBN India 360, actor Rohit Roy, news daily Hindustan Times columnist Seema Goswami, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Manish Agarwal (Delhi) analyzed the issue.

Is cocaine use far more common in India than we think it is?

International drug experts say that India is emerging as a major market in the sub continent for cocaine. Ramachandra Sundaralingam, who has spent over 15 years with Interpol was quoted by The Hindu saying that the market in Europe is now saturated and the international drug cartels are now exploring new markets in Central Asia, India, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand. Is cocaine use far more common in India than we think it is?

Cocaine, one of world’s most expensive narcotics is often consumed by the rich and famous of the high society. The target groups in India are those in the world of music, arts, fashion and films. However, a proper study of drug abuse is not possible because unlike conventional crime, the victim in this case does not complain.