Nearly 90%-89.86% identified peer pressure as a major contributor to substance abuse.
ROOPAK GOSWAMI
Shillong, Oct 4: Peer pressure has emerged as the most commonly cited factor behind substance use among young people in Shillong, while a majority of respondents feel that existing support services are inadequate, according to a recent study.
The study, published in the September 2026 issue of the EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, surveyed young people aged 18–25 in Shillong on their awareness and attitudes towards substance use. The study was carried out by Rituparna Rajendra of St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, Ainamlin Dkhar of St. Edmund’s College and Marseillis Pohlong.
Of the respondents, 21.74% said they had used substances, while 7.25% reported regular use. Nearly 90%—89.86%—identified peer pressure as a major contributor to substance abuse. More than half, or 56.52%, said they knew someone in their social circle who had experienced substance abuse.
The findings also point to a gap between awareness of rehabilitation facilities and confidence in the support available.
While 71.01% of respondents said they were aware of rehabilitation centres, only 39.13% felt that sufficient support was available for young people facing substance-use problems.
The researchers found that awareness campaigns have already reached many young people. 82.61% said they had participated in substance-abuse awareness programmes. Yet 97.10% still supported additional awareness programmes in schools and colleges, suggesting that existing campaigns may not be enough on their own.
Parents were also seen as having a larger role to play, with 94.20% of respondents saying parents should have greater involvement in educating young people about substance-related risks.
There was strong support for strengthening institutional responses. 95.65% backed increased rehabilitation services, while 94.20% supported stricter drug-related laws. At the same time, 88.41% said they would be willing to participate in substance-use prevention programmes.
The researchers caution that the findings cannot be treated as a measure of substance-use prevalence among all young people in Shillong. The study used snowball sampling and was descriptive in nature. They have called for larger, representative studies covering Shillong and Meghalaya.
The authors suggest that prevention efforts should move beyond information campaigns and include peer-led initiatives, counselling, family engagement, life-skills education and stronger links between educational institutions, healthcare providers and rehabilitation centres.
