A recent survey conducted across 10 cities in India has revealed a disturbing trend: children are experimenting with drugs at an increasingly young age. The study, published this month in the National Medical Journal of India, found that the average age of initiation into substance use is just 12.9 years, with some children starting as young as 11.
The survey, which involved 5,920 students with an average age of 14.7 years, spanned across Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jammu, Dibrugarh, and Ranchi. The findings indicated that one in seven school students had tried a psychoactive substance at least once in their lives. Specifically, 15.1% reported lifetime substance use, 10.3% in the past year, and 7.2% in the past month.
According to the study, the most commonly used substances were tobacco (4%) and alcohol (3.8%). However, a significant number of students also reported using opioids (2.8%), cannabis (2%), and inhalants (1.9%). Notably, much of the opioid use was linked to non-prescribed pharmaceutical pills.
The multi-city study was spearheaded by Dr. Anju Dhawan, who is the chief of the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at AIIMS Delhi, with collaborative efforts from medical colleges in various cities. The data revealed a clear correlation between substance use and age, with students in classes XI-XII being twice as likely to have used substances compared to those in Class VIII.
Interestingly, the survey also highlighted gender-based differences in substance preferences. Boys reported higher rates of tobacco and cannabis use, while girls showed a greater tendency to use inhalants and pharmaceutical opioids. Furthermore, over half of the students admitted that they would conceal their drug use if questioned, suggesting that the actual prevalence of substance use could be even higher than reported.
The study also uncovered a strong connection between substance use and emotional distress. A significant 31% of past-year users exhibited high psychological difficulty scores, in comparison to 25% of non-users. These users also showed marked differences in conduct, hyperactivity, and emotional stability.
Dr. Achal Bhagat, a senior consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, emphasized the urgent need to address the early age of initiation into substance use. This highlights the importance of early intervention and prevention programs to protect vulnerable children from the dangers of drug experimentation.
These findings arrive at a time when national surveys have indicated that overall teenage drug and alcohol use has been on the decline. A possible explanation for the discrepancy could be that substance use is increasing among younger children even as it declines for older teenagers.
While national data indicates a decline in adolescent substance use, these regional findings serve as a reminder that the risk remains very real. Parents are advised to stay informed about emerging drug trends, including the use of delta-8 THC, nicotine vapes, and fentanyl-laced pills. Open communication, clear rules about substance use, and awareness of a child's emotional state are critical components of prevention.
