India’s Silent Crisis: 10% of School Students Report Psychoactive Substance Use, AIIMS-Led Survey Finds

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NEW DELHI — A comprehensive nationwide study has pulled back the curtain on a burgeoning public health challenge within India’s classrooms. The survey, led by researchers at the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at AIIMS New Delhi, reveals that 10.3% of school-going adolescents used psychoactive substances in the past year.

With experimentation starting as early as age 11, the findings—published in The National Medical Journal of India (2025)—signal a critical need for a shift in how the nation approaches youth mental health and addiction prevention. The study, which surveyed nearly 6,000 students across 10 major cities, found that while awareness of the dangers of drugs is high, it is not enough to deter a significant portion of the youth from “trying” substances that can lead to lifelong dependency.

The Scope of the Study: Inside the Classroom

Between May 2018 and June 2019, researchers led by Dr. Anju Dhawan conducted a cross-sectional survey targeting 5,920 students in grades VIII, IX, XI, and XII. The study spanned 30 schools in a mix of metro and non-metro hubs, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Unlike household surveys, which often suffer from under-reporting due to the presence of parents, this school-based approach utilized self-administered questionnaires and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). This allowed students a degree of anonymity, providing what experts believe is a more accurate snapshot of adolescent behavior.

Key Statistical Findings:

Lifetime Use: 15.1% of students admitted to trying a substance at least once.
Current Use: 7.2% reported use within the past month.
Gender Gap: Boys reported significantly higher usage rates than girls.
Age of Initiation: The average age for starting substance use was 12.9 years, though inhalants (such as glue or typewriter fluid) saw initiation as young as 11.3 years.

Tobacco, Alcohol, and the Rising Threat of Opioids

While tobacco (4%) and alcohol (3.8%) remain the most common substances used by students in the past year, the medical community is expressing particular alarm over the prevalence of opioids (2.8%).

“The drastic increase in opioid use among adolescents is a cause for concern,” says Dr. Preethy Kathiresan, a psychiatrist who provided an editorial perspective on the data. “Unlike cannabis or tobacco, which have seen some declines in specific regions, the rise in opioids—often through diverted pharmaceutical or synthetic sources—has devastating long-term impacts on a child’s neurodevelopment and future life domains.”

The study also highlighted a clear link between substance use and mental health. Past-year users scored higher on the SDQ for conduct issues, hyperactivity, and emotional distress compared to non-users. This suggests that for many adolescents, substance use is not just “rebellion” but a form of self-medication for underlying psychological struggles.

Why Is This Happening? Peer Influence and Family Dynamics

The research identifies a “contagion effect” driven by social circles. Students who used substances were far more likely to have relatives or close friends who also used them.

“School settings offer a unique platform for intervention,” explains Dr. Anju Dhawan. “We found that 95% of students actually recognize that drugs are harmful. The gap isn’t knowledge; it’s the lack of ‘refusal skills’ and the presence of family stressors that push them toward occasional use.”

The “Availability” Factor

In urban centers, the ease of access to inhalants and pharmaceutical sedatives makes them “gateway” substances. Because these items are often legal or found within the household, they do not carry the same “street stigma” as illegal narcotics, making them more attractive to a curious 12-year-old.

Public Health Implications: Moving Beyond “Just Say No”

For a country with over 250 million adolescents, the implications of these findings are massive. If 10% of this population is engaging in psychoactive use, the potential strain on the future healthcare system is unprecedented.

Experts are calling for a move away from simplistic “Just Say No” campaigns, which behavioral economists argue are largely ineffective. Instead, they advocate for:

Early Screening: Using tools like the SDQ in schools to identify “at-risk” children before they start using.
Curriculum Integration: Working with bodies like NCERT and CBSE to embed drug refusal skills and stress management into the standard physical education or life-skills classes.
Localized Strategies: Since substance patterns vary by state (e.g., higher opioid use in some regions versus tobacco in others), interventions must be tailored to local realities.

Limitations of the Research

While the study is robust, it does have limitations. The data was collected just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some experts suggest that the isolation and increased screen time of the pandemic years may have exacerbated these numbers, meaning the current situation in 2026 could be even more severe. Additionally, the study focused on 10 major cities; patterns in the rural heartlands or the northeastern states—historically hotspots for substance use—may differ.

Practical Advice for Parents and Educators

The transition from experimentation to habit can be swift. Dr. Dhawan’s research suggests that early detection can halve the risk of developing a long-term disorder.

For Parents: Foster an environment of open dialogue. Modeling healthy coping mechanisms—such as sports, art, or meditation—has been statistically linked to lower substance use in children.
For Educators: Look for sudden changes in academic performance or social withdrawal. These are often earlier indicators than physical symptoms of drug use.
For Students: Understand that peer pressure is a biological reality of the adolescent brain, but seeking help from a counselor for academic stress is a sign of resilience, not weakness.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.