Overview of the Research
A recent study published in the The National Medical Journal of India reveals that 10.3% of school-going adolescents in India reported psychoactive substance use in the past year. The findings highlight a concerning trend of occasional substance use among teenagers and underline the urgent need for structured prevention strategies within school environments.
🧠 Why Adolescence Is a Vulnerable Phase
⚠️ Risk-Taking and Behavioral Changes
Adolescence is marked by rapid physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. This developmental phase often involves experimentation and risk-taking behaviors. However, reliable data on substance use among Indian school students has been limited, as household surveys frequently under-report due to privacy concerns. School-based assessments therefore provide more accurate insights.
👩⚕️ Leadership and Institutional Background
🏥 Study Led by AIIMS Experts
The research was led by Dr. Anju Dhawan from the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The primary objective was to assess the extent, patterns, and risk factors associated with substance use among adolescents in diverse urban and rural settings across India.
🏙️ Study Design and Methodology
📋 Sample and Data Collection
Conducted between May 2018 and June 2019, the cross-sectional survey covered 5,920 students from grades VIII, IX, and XI/XII across 30 schools in 10 metro and non-metro cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Researchers used a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire along with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess behavioral and psychological attributes.
📈 Prevalence of Substance Use
📊 Lifetime and Recent Use Rates
The study found that 15.1% of students had used substances at least once in their lifetime. Past-year use was reported by 10.3%, while 7.2% admitted use in the past month. These figures indicate that occasional substance use among adolescents is more common than previously assumed.
🚬 Most Commonly Used Substances
🍺 Tobacco and Alcohol Lead
Tobacco (4%) and alcohol (3.8%) were the most commonly used substances in the past year. Opioids (2.8%) and cannabis (2%) followed. The average age of initiation was 12.9 years, with inhalants having the earliest initiation age at 11.3 years, highlighting early exposure risks.
👥 Risk Factors and Psychological Links
🧩 Role of Gender, Peers, and Family
Substance use was significantly higher among boys and increased with higher school grades. Students who used substances had higher SDQ difficulty scores (15.0) compared to non-users (13.4), particularly in conduct, hyperactivity, and emotional problems. Peer influence and family substance use were strong predictors of adolescent usage patterns.
🏫 The Way Forward: School-Based Prevention
🎯 Early Intervention and Mental Health Focus
The study emphasizes that prevention should begin before age 12, as delayed initiation reduces the risk of long-term disorders. Although 95% of students recognize the harmful effects of drugs, occasional use persists. Experts recommend shifting from simplistic “Just say no” campaigns to comprehensive school-based programs that include mental health screening, psychological support, and drug refusal skills training.
Reference:
Dhawan A, Chatterjee B, Bhargava R, Chopra A, Mandal P, Rao R, et al. Substance use among school-going adolescents in India: Results from a nationwide survey. Natl Med J India 2025; 38: 332–8. DOI: 10.25259/NMJI_824_2022
