Drug use among Meghalaya’s youth starts as early as 10, far younger than in Manipur or Nagaland, where the average initiation age is 22, a recent study has found.
The qualitative study, published in the Indian Journal of Public Health (April-June 2025 edition), was conducted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, and the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society.
It surveyed 128 people enrolled in opioid substitution therapy across East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills, along with 17 service providers.