Once confined to older adults, drug addiction is now entangling school-aged children, causing alarm and fear among families

The tranquil village of Ganigaon, nestled among the Himalayan mountains of Uttarakhand, is facing a growing menace that threatens its future—substance abuse among its youth.

This issue, once limited to older individuals, has begun to trap even the youngest members of the community, leading to a wave of fear and concern among residents. “In my school, some boys often come after using drugs. They even bring substances to share with others,” says Anita (name changed), a 17-year-old student from Ganigaon. “When teachers try to counsel them, they don't listen and sometimes even threaten them. This behavior is not only disrupting their education but also instilling fear among the girls, whose parents are now hesitant to send them to school.”

Anita’s story is not an isolated case. Ganigaon, located 54 km from Bageshwar district and 32 km from Garur block, is a picturesque village with a population of approximately 1,746 people.

However, the beauty of the landscape belies the growing darkness within the community. Substance abuse, which has already taken hold of many adults, is now spreading rapidly among children and adolescents, affecting their education and futures.Devaki (name changed), a 44-year-old resident, echoes these concerns: "We send our boys to school hoping they'll study and build a better future. But instead, they are ruining their lives with drugs.

This behavior is also disturbing the peace at home. If this continues, how will they study? How will they find employment?”

The impact of this growing trend is felt deeply within the families of Ganigaon. Malti Devi (name changed), 55, shares how this vice has gripped her family: "My husband used to come home intoxicated, creating a tense environment. Now, my sons have picked up the same habit. They skip school and engage in substance abuse.

Despite my efforts to counsel them, they continue down this dangerous path, even resorting to stealing money from home to feed their addiction. I’m at a loss about how to save them.” The village head, Hema Devi, expresses her alarm over the situation: "Substance abuse is increasing rapidly in our village. People are selling cannabis and making homemade liquor, which is affecting everyone’s health, but they won't stop.

Now, even children are falling prey to this. It’s leading to more violence, with women bearing the brunt of it. Men spend all their money on alcohol, forcing women to work in others' fields to make up for the financial shortfall.” Recognising the severity of the problem, Hema Devi mentions that the panchayat is working on launching a campaign to combat substance abuse. Social worker Neelam Grundy emphasizes the urgency of the situation: “The rise of substance abuse in the village is a dangerous trend. What started with the elderly has now spread to the youth and even school-aged children.

 We need a comprehensive campaign to tackle this issue, but it can't just be the responsibility of the government. The elders in the village need to lead by example and give up this vice so that the younger generation can break free from its grip.”

The Uttarakhand government, recognizing the growing issue, has launched a campaign to make the state drug-free by 2025.

At the administrative level, efforts are being made to curb the spread of this menace. Between 2019 and 2023, over 119 kilograms of charas were seized in 89 cases in Bageshwar district alone, alongside 58 cases of smack trafficking.

These figures show the administration's commitment to tackling the issue, but society must also take responsibility. Only through a combined effort can the future of Uttarakhand’s youth be safeguarded, and the state be freed from the clutches of this growing evil.

(The writer is a student of Class 10th from Ganigaon Village, Bageshwar. Views expressed are personal. Charkha Features)