Substance Abuse and Internet Usage Emerge as Major Issues in Schools; ICMR Survey Reveals Startling Findings

Research conducted by the ICMR has revealed data regarding the risk of substance abuse among adolescents across different parts of the country. In a study involving 6,168 adolescents from 108 schools, the situation in Guwahati’s schools was found to be the most critical.

The risk of substance abuse among school-aged children and adolescents is a growing concern in the country. Research conducted in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has highlighted significant regional disparities regarding this risk. Among the 6,168 adolescents studied across 108 schools in six locations, the selected schools in Guwahati showed the most alarming situation; 42.3 percent of adolescents there fell into the ‘medium’ or ‘high’ risk categories for substance abuse.

Guwahati Shows Highest Risk of Substance Abuse Among Children

Among the six locations included in the study, Guwahati recorded the highest proportion of adolescents falling into the medium-to-high risk categories for substance abuse (42.3 percent). Deoghar followed with 41.3 percent of adolescents in these categories. Meanwhile, the figure stood at 24.5 percent in Gorakhpur, 13.5 percent in Rajkot, and 17.1 percent in Nagpur. The lowest proportion—0.1 percent—was recorded in Puducherry.

Study Conducted on 6,168 Adolescents Across 108 Schools

The study focused on adolescents aged 18 to 19 years. Researchers collected data from government and private schools across various locations between October 2025 and January 2026. A total of 6,168 adolescents from 108 schools participated in the research. The study included 1,223 children from Gorakhpur, 890 from Guwahati, 1,082 from Nagpur, 919 from Rajkot, 1,066 from Deoghar, and 988 from Puducherry. It was conducted by researchers from AIIMS (located in Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Nagpur, Rajkot, and Deoghar) and JIPMER, Puducherry.

Easy Availability of Substances: The Biggest Risk

The research indicates that the availability of intoxicating substances in the vicinity of adolescents is the most critical modifiable factor linked to the risk of substance abuse. Children who perceived that such substances were easily accessible around them were more likely to fall into the medium- or high-risk categories. Additionally, researchers identified the increasing use of digital media as a significant factor; adolescents with high levels of engagement with mobile phones, the internet, and other digital platforms showed a higher likelihood of substance abuse risks.

Higher Risk Among Girls Compared to Boys

Gender-based differences also emerged from the study. Analysis revealed a higher probability of substance abuse risk among girls compared to boys. Data from Guwahati highlighted other specific characteristics: 82.3% of the participating students were from government schools, while 17.8% were from private schools. Guwahati also recorded the highest proportion of female participants (59.2%) among the six study locations. Adolescents in Guwahati exhibited the highest levels of anxiety sensitivity and impulsivity scores compared to the other sites. Furthermore, their hopelessness scores ranked second, and their sensation-seeking scores were also the second highest.

Awareness Campaigns Alone Are Not Enough

The study notes that national-level initiatives, such as school health programs, have successfully raised awareness. However, a uniform strategy may not suffice to address the diverse circumstances arising in different regions. Researchers have emphasized the need for interventions that take local conditions into account. These include controlling the availability of intoxicants near schools and conducting programs related to digital and media literacy.