The Lingering Menace of Drug Abuse Among the Indian Youth—It’s Time for Action

The Lingering Menace of Drug Abuse Among the Indian Youth—It’s Time for Action

Mangalore Today News Network

By Sudip Bhattacharya, G. Shreekumar Menon, Suneela Garg, Ashoo Grover, Sheikh Mohd Saleem and Poonam Kushwaha

Mangaluru, May 8, 2025: The issue of substance abuse has emerged as a global public health crisis in the twenty-first century, affecting every country worldwide, as drug trafficking and addiction have become pervasive. Different local and global entities have documented an elevated occurrence of substance abuse among youths in comparison with earlier cohorts. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the harmful patterns of drug use. In India, there has been a concerning increase in drug abuse among the youth. The stress and pressures of modern life have made individuals more susceptible to substance abuse. Substance abuse not only affects individuals, families, and communities but also undermines various aspects of health, including physical, social, political, cultural foundations, and mental well-being. In this viewpoint, we have described the changing dynamics of drug abuse in India and possible interventions to revert this shadow pandemic.

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is acknowledged as a crucial stage of development and an opportune time to establish a solid foundation for good health. This period involves rapid physical, cognitive, and psychological growth. The earlier a child begins using drugs, the greater the likelihood of encountering severe health issues and developing substance abuse problems in adulthood. Throughout this phase, teenagers form unhealthy patterns of behavior, engaging in activities such as drinking, smoking, and illicit drug use. These behaviors not only pose immediate health risks but also have long-term repercussions in later stages of life. The prevalence of drug abuse varies across regions and nations, influenced by factors like the specific type of drug and socio-economic circumstances.

Global and national scenario

The issue of substance abuse has emerged as a global public health crisis in the twenty-first century, affecting every country worldwide, as drug trafficking and addiction have become pervasive. Different local and global entities have documented an elevated occurrence of substance abuse among youths in comparison to earlier cohorts.[8,9] The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the harmful patterns of drug use. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported in its 2022 World Drug Report that approximately 284 million individuals (5.6% of the global population) between the ages of 15 and 64 had used drugs in the past year. Drug use contributes to 5% of all substance-related deaths and 9% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

In India, there has been a concerning increase in drug abuse among the youth. The stress and pressures of modern life have made individuals more susceptible to substance abuse. Substance abuse not only affects individuals, families, and communities but also undermines various aspects of health, including physical, social, political, cultural foundations, and mental well-being. A survey indicated that tobacco use was significantly higher among sixth-grade students compared to eighth graders in India, indicating a potential increase in the onset of tobacco use at a young age.[13] Another study reported that 67% of drug users-initiated substance abuse at the age of nineteen or younger, with 52% starting between sixteen and twenty years old, 21% between eleven and fifteen years old, and 4% at the age of ten or even younger. Among the female users, 20% were from Goa, followed by 16% from Thiruvananthapuram, and 15% from Mumbai.

As per the findings of the National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted in 2019, the prevalence of substance use is a cause for concern. Approximately 160 million individuals aged 10 to 75 are reported to be current alcohol users, with 5.2% of them classified as alcohol dependents. Cannabis usage is observed among around 31 million people (2.8% of the population), while opioids are used by 2.06% of individuals. Additionally, nearly 6 million people (0.55%) require treatment for drug use. The survey also highlights that 1.18 crore (1.08%) of the population engage in non-medical use of sedatives, and 1.7% of children and adolescents use inhalants, as opposed to 0.58% of adults. Furthermore, an estimated 850,000 individuals partake in injecting drug use.

A 2018 survey by UNODC on drug use among the general population revealed that early adolescence (12–14 years) to late adolescence (15–17 years) is a critical period for the initiation of substance use, with young people between the ages of 18 and 25 experiencing a peak in their substance use patterns. The dynamics of drug usage commonly initiate at approximately ten or eleven years old, with initial experimentation involving inhalants like eraser fluid, glue, petrol, aerosols, and other inhalants. Commonly used drugs include marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, PCP, heroin, and opioid painkillers. Vulnerable groups, including working children, children on streets, having familial intake of substance abuse, and individuals with sensitive personality and conduct issues, are at particularly high risk. Around the age of twelve, children begin experimenting with alcohol, cigarettes, and similar substances out of curiosity about their taste and effects. They are initially exposed to these drugs through their peers. The diverse range of situations that contribute to drug use among young people is demonstrated by two distinct settings: recreational drug use to enhance excitement and experience, and drug use as a coping mechanism for those living in challenging conditions. Some youth, belonging to well-to-do families and financially secure, take drugs for pleasure and enjoyment, without experiencing stress or financial insecurity. On the other hand, impoverished youth may turn to drugs while struggling to maintain a decent life, dropping out of school and spending time in shopping malls and entertainment areas.

Patterns of drug abuse

“Stimulant drugs,” such as cocaine, Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), ecstasy, and other substances that have stimulating effects on the central nervous system, are commonly chosen for experimentation. When individuals use a combination of substances either concurrently or sequentially, it is referred to as “polydrug use.” This practice aims to achieve a cumulative and synergistic effect, enhancing the overall psychoactive experience. Reasons for polydrug use may include the unavailability of their preferred drug, concerns about impurity, increased prices, or other factors. Persisting substance abuse, even in the face of significant problems in daily functioning, can lead to “substance dependence.” Drug abuse develops through complex interactions among various factors, including social, cultural, cognitive, attitudinal, biological, geographical, economic, and developmental influences. The quality of parenting, peer influence, and biological predisposition to drugs also contribute to substance abuse. Substance abuse is a major contributing and preventable factor in unemployment, poor health, accidents, suicide, mental disorders, reduced life expectancy, and fatalities. Images of teenagers engaging in drug use or alcohol consumption in remote locations frequently circulate on social media. The situation has become so dire that female students have been found at bus stops and public areas in certain places. This situation directly or indirectly impacts the education of girls. These young boys and girls often try to imitate the behaviors of role models in their environment, such as friends, parents, siblings, or celebrities from movies or television. Learning and imitation occur indirectly through the observation and internalization of others’ experiences, known as “vicarious learning.” Students learn both positive and negative behaviors by observing and absorbing what others go through.

Sources of drugs

The habits of students can be influenced by factors such as their age, gender, and social and cultural pressures from their peers at school. Educational institutions are situated in close proximity to various establishments such as bakeries, medical shops, fast food parlors, milk parlors, and street sellers, which are frequently suspected of engaging in the drug trade with the aim of generating profits. The availability of drugs online through the Internet, courier services, and the Darknet has made it easier for tech-savvy teenagers to procure them. Pharmacies sell a range of substances without prescription, including painkillers, expectorant, nasal drops, anxiolytics, sedatives, antidepressants, and inhalants, which are sufficient to induce a high in newly initiated students. Additionally, there may be involvement from school staff members such as instructors, hostel caretaker, sports teachers, drivers, and conductors of school bus in the drug trade, particularly in urban areas and day boarding schools where drugs are easily accessible. Even students in boarding schools find covert methods to acquire drugs. Drug peddlers play a major role as suppliers and sources of drugs. They often conduct their trade near educational institutions, taking precautions to avoid the attention of school administration and relevant authorities. Inadequate fencing in many schools allows peddlers easy access to students, who can then become casual drug abusers, hardcore addicts, and even sellers of drugs to new students, perpetuating a vicious cycle of the drug trade. This lifestyle allows them to live luxuriously without depending on their parents. Parties, music festivals, discotheques, nightclubs, and remote locations like mountains, forests, and guest houses are ideal settings for engaging in drug-related activities. Students may initially enter this “black world” of drugs by consuming alcohol in their own homes. In Kerala, a significant number of people are heavy drinkers, providing observant teens with ample opportunities to taste alcohol when they are home alone, and this habit spreads to other students either at school or in their residences. The government’s promotion and expansion of alcohol sales, driven by revenue generation, inadvertently contribute to the vulnerable community falling into the clutches of substance abuse, including drug abuse, in many states of India.

Preventive steps

Addressing the issue of drug abuse is a complex task, as it encompasses various dimensions. One of the major policy challenges in India is protecting our children from the pervasive influence and allure of drug abuse. Both the central and state health authorities, in conjunction with numerous charitable organizations, allocate substantial funds to raise awareness among students about the harmful health consequences of drug use through campaigns and programs focused on drug awareness. However, despite these efforts, the problem continues to intensify each year. The National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction for 2018–2023 focuses on “preventive education, awareness campaigns, identification, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug dependents, as well as training and capacity building” for service providers. Given the intricate nature of substance abuse and its adverse health effects, there is still a significant amount of exploration and understanding required to formulate suitable programs and policies. Furthermore, the immediate priority is to educate teenagers and adolescents about the harmful effects of drug abuse, the importance of reporting drug use, and building their capacity to resist peer and societal influences. It is crucial to implement effective measures that promote the behavioral development of schoolchildren, fostering self-confidence and empowering them to refrain from engaging in risky behaviors. Addressing this issue necessitates a collaborative approach involving schools, families, and the community. It is crucial to train teachers, provide positive role models, improve parenting skills, and enhance the capacity of guidance and counseling teachers to effectively tackle the challenges associated with abstaining from and quitting drug use. Additionally, the integration of life skills into the curriculum is essential.

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By Sudip Bhattacharya, G. Shreekumar Menon, Suneela Garg, Ashoo Grover, Sheikh Mohd Saleem and Poonam Kushwaha