New Delhi: A nationwide study on substance use among students has highlighted the prevalence of drug consumption in schools and colleges, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha.

As part of the 2018-19 National Survey on Substance Use, a focused thematic study covered ten locations across India, analyzing patterns among students. The study found that among 5,920 school students surveyed, 2% had used cannabis, 0.6% sedatives, and 2.8% opioids in the past year. Among 2,533 college students, 6.3% consumed charas or ganja, 1.6% pharmaceutical opioids, and 0.5% cocaine, among other substances.

To address substance abuse, the government is implementing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). Under this, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched in August 2020, has now been expanded nationwide. The campaign has reached 14.79 crore people, including nearly five crore youth, through awareness programs in over 4.16 lakh educational institutions.

The ministry has also introduced Navchetna Modules, a life-skills and drug education program for schools, and supports 46 Community-Based Peer-Led Intervention (CPLI) centres to assist vulnerable children. A toll-free de-addiction helpline (14446) provides counseling and referral services.

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment remains the nodal agency for drug demand reduction in the country, ensuring targeted rehabilitation and awareness efforts.