30% adolescents indulged in substance abuse: Survey

Navneet Rathore

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 7

In an alarming situation, as many as 30 per cent of adolescents in the 13-17 age group and studying in various government schools have indulged in substance abuse, raising serious concerns over their well-being and future.

This was revealed in a survey of school adolescents undertaken in the state for the first time. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 7,563 adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years and enrolled in 204 government schools in all 12 districts.

Making informed health choices

• The survey highlights the need for empowering adolescents to make informed health choices, said Dr Gopal Beri, Director Health Services
• “Schools play a critical role in shaping adolescents health behaviour, providing a foundation for lifelong well-being. Therefore, providing school-going children with the right information and support will enable them to adopt healthy behaviours that will benefit them throughout their lives,” he said.

The school-based Adolescent Health Survey aimed to understand the health behaviour and protective factors among adolescents of this specified age group and identify the scope of improvement in environment and practices towards promoting health and well-being of the school-going adolescents.

The study was embarked upon by Mamta Health Institute for Mother and Child in approval and guidance of the Government of Himachal Pradesh. The survey report was released today at an event held in Shimla.

The survey also revealed that 22.8 per cent adolescents had consumed cough syrups without prescription in the past 12 months while nine per cent have used needle for an illegal drug during the lifetime. The data further revealed that the said adolescents have either consumed sleeping pills, used inhalants, used a needle to inject any illegal drug, consumed hallucinogens, consumed cocaine, heroin, opium, marijuana, alcohol, e-cigarettes, smoked and have chewed tobacco.

With this survey, it has been suggested to strengthen the implementation of Ayushman Bharat - School Health and Wellness Programme (AB - SHWP) by elaborating contextual addition of e-cigarettes, hallucinogens and injectable drugs in Module 7.

Dr Sunil Mehra, Executive Director, Mamta Health Institute for Mother and Child, said adolescents today encountered new and diverse challenges in an evolving society. “These challenges may lead to mental health issues, substance use, violence, early pregnancy, education barriers and environmental hazards, affecting their health and well-being,” he said.

Drug menace has become a huge problem for the state over the years with most of the victims being the youth. This year (January 1 to June 30), a total of 878 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act across the state with the highest number of cases being reported in Kullu district which was 141 followed by Mandi district where 112 cases have been registered within the first six months.