Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part A (2022)

In Northeaster India, the epidemic of substance abuse among the young generation has reached alarming proportions. Changing cultural values, rising economic stress, and dwindling supportive bonds are all contributing factors to the initiation of substance use. The processes of industrialization, urbanisation, and migration have resulted in a loosening of traditional social control mechanisms, making an individual vulnerable to the stresses and strains of modern life. According to evidence, the magnitude of substance use is likely to be higher among Northeast residents who live in adverse geographical settings. It states that the increased use of substances in developing countries with the weakest health and economic systems is a major concern for W.H.O. While the lack of a comprehensive policy has been repeatedly emphasised, and various suggestions have been made to address the wide range of problems caused by substance use, much work remains to be done on the ground to prevent and address these problems. Keeping this in mind, the current paper examines patterns and correlates of substance use in India's Northeast states.