The Lingering Menace of Drug Abuse Among the Indian Youth—It’s Time for Action

The issue of substance abuse has emerged as a global public health crisis in the twenty-first century, affecting every country worldwide, as drug trafficking and addiction have become pervasive. Different local and global entities have documented an elevated occurrence of substance abuse among youths in comparison with earlier cohorts. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the harmful patterns of drug use. In India, there has been a concerning increase in drug abuse among the youth. The stress and pressures of modern life have made individuals more susceptible to substance abuse. Substance abuse not only affects individuals, families, and communities but also undermines various aspects of health, including physical, social, political, cultural foundations, and mental well-being. In this viewpoint, we have described the changing dynamics of drug abuse in India and possible interventions to revert this shadow pandemic.