Substance Abuse in Northeast India: Nearly 20 % more than other States

The rot in Northeast India’s substance abuse problem runs deep. A recent study shows that the prevalence of any type of substance abuse - smoking, smokeless tobacco products, alcohol - in men in Northeastern states is much higher (20 percent more) than the rest of India.

But education and participation in activities such as sports and music can go a long way in curbing substance abuse in the region, according to study authors Nandita Saikia and Benjamin Debbarma of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.