Last Updated:December 12, 2025, 19:02 IST
A nationwide survey of 5,920 students reveals that even children under 11 are using drugs, with 1 in 7 schoolkids exposed to substances like tobacco, alcohol and cannabis
According to the findings, 40% of surveyed children were exposed to tobacco or alcohol consumption by family members, making them more vulnerable to experimenting at a young age.
Representative image (Credit: iStock Images)
Amid the government’s ongoing campaign to curb drug abuse, a disturbing trend has emerged across India’s major cities. Children under the age of 11 are now falling into drug addiction, according to a recent research report that highlights how early substance use has become a growing concern in Bengaluru and several other urban centres.
The findings come from a large-scale survey conducted among 5,920 students aged below 14.7 years across ten cities: Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jammu, Dibrugarh and Ranchi. The study, published in the National Medical Journal of India, presents alarming statistics. It found that 1 in 7 school-going children were using at least one substance, including tobacco, alcohol and cannabis.
The research was led by Dr Anju Dhawan of AIIMS Delhi, working in collaboration with medical colleges in all ten participating cities. The goal was to understand how early substance exposure begins and what factors are driving younger children towards drugs. The report shows a worrying pattern.
- 15.1% of students reported using at least one substance at some point in their lives.
- 10.3% said they had consumed at least one drug in the past year.
- 7.2% admitted to using substances in the last month, indicating an active pattern of continued usage.
Influence of Family and Friends Plays a Major Role
One of the major contributors to early drug initiation, the study notes, is the influence of close relationships. According to the findings, 40% of surveyed children were exposed to tobacco or alcohol consumption by family members, making them more vulnerable to experimenting at a young age.
Peer pressure was also noted as a strong influence. Children observing friends or siblings using substances were more likely to try them, often without understanding the long-term consequences.
A National Concern Needing Urgent Attention
With the government intensifying efforts to reduce drug circulation and consumption, the survey highlights the urgent need to expand preventive measures to include younger age groups. The rising numbers suggest that drug awareness programmes must be redesigned to address vulnerabilities in early adolescence and pre-teen years.
The findings also point to the importance of family-based interventions. Experts believe that reducing substance use at home, providing emotional support and building awareness among parents could significantly reduce early exposure.
As cities like Bengaluru continue to grow rapidly, the challenge of protecting children from drug use is becoming increasingly complex. The data from this study makes one thing clear, tackling the issue requires coordinated efforts from families, schools, healthcare institutions and the government.
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December 12, 2025, 19:02 IST
The research was led by Dr Anju Dhawan of AIIMS Delhi, working in collaboration with medical colleges in all ten participating cities. The goal was to understand how early substance exposure begins and what factors are driving younger children towards drugs. The report shows a worrying pattern.
- 15.1% of students reported using at least one substance at some point in their lives.
- 10.3% said they had consumed at least one drug in the past year.
- 7.2% admitted to using substances in the last month, indicating an active pattern of continued usage.
Influence of Family and Friends Plays a Major Role
One of the major contributors to early drug initiation, the study notes, is the influence of close relationships. According to the findings, 40% of surveyed children were exposed to tobacco or alcohol consumption by family members, making them more vulnerable to experimenting at a young age.
Peer pressure was also noted as a strong influence. Children observing friends or siblings using substances were more likely to try them, often without understanding the long-term consequences.
A National Concern Needing Urgent Attention
With the government intensifying efforts to reduce drug circulation and consumption, the survey highlights the urgent need to expand preventive measures to include younger age groups. The rising numbers suggest that drug awareness programmes must be redesigned to address vulnerabilities in early adolescence and pre-teen years.
The findings also point to the importance of family-based interventions. Experts believe that reducing substance use at home, providing emotional support and building awareness among parents could significantly reduce early exposure.
As cities like Bengaluru continue to grow rapidly, the challenge of protecting children from drug use is becoming increasingly complex. The data from this study makes one thing clear, tackling the issue requires coordinated efforts from families, schools, healthcare institutions and the government.
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