IYTT in India

Last month, I (Sophia) was honored to represent the International Youth Think Tank at the 11th Asian Youth Forum on Drug Youth Prevention in Kerala, India. India is facing a growing drug use problem, with an alarming rise in substance abuse across various regions. The issue spans urban and rural areas, impacting all demographics, though young people are particularly vulnerable.

As a Youth Fellow with Punjabi heritage, I am all too aware of this issue and have lost several relatives in India to substance abuse. Their battles made me acutely aware of how addiction can spiral out of control, affecting not only individuals but entire communities. This had a profound impact on me, fueling my passion to join the fight against this epidemic and become a #PreventionInfluencer.

The Youth Forum brought together young people from across India and beyond, with participants traveling from the Philippines, the Maldives, Nepal and Vietnam to attend. Over the course of five days, we were trained under the Universal Prevention Curriculum for Substance Use, which was developed for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme. We learned about evidence-based approaches, grounded in scientific research, which are proven to be effective in prevention.

Meaningful engagement of young people in substance use prevention is vital; by valuing their voices, we empower young people to be part of the solution in combating substance abuse, making them key agents of change in their communities.

Although I have Punjabi heritage and have been to India over fifteen times, I was born and raised in the UK. My dual cultural identity has given me a unique lens to view the issue, highlighting both the challenges and the contradictions that come with navigating substance use within different cultural frameworks.

Growing up in the UK, I was exposed to a more open dialogue about mental health, addiction and substance use. There is a strong emphasis on science-backed prevention programs, early intervention, and the importance of mental health in the Western approach. The UK’s public health messaging is often centered on de-stigmatizing addiction, treating it as a public health issue rather than a moral failing. This perspective shaped my understanding of how communities should address substance use—through education, support systems and rehabilitation.

However, my Punjabi background brought different layers of complexity to this understanding. In many South Asian communities, substance use, especially among young people, is often met with denial or stigma. Conversations around addiction can be taboo, and cultural expectations sometimes discourage open discussions about personal struggles, especially related to drugs or alcohol. This creates challenges in addressing the issue effectively, as many families avoid
seeking help due to fear of judgement or shame. The clash between this cultural conservatism and the need for open, honest dialogue around addiction prevention became apparent during the conference.

Attending the conference in Kerala allowed me to see how these different cultural elements intersect, especially in a place like India, where modern healthcare practices are slowly being integrated with traditional values. It reinforced the need for culturally sensitive and community based approaches to substance use prevention, recognizing that different communities require tailored strategies that address both the stigma and the scientific realities of addiction.

Throughout the conference, what struck me the most were the fundamentally different philosophies, structure and cultural attitudes that shape Asian society, particularly through the education system. In Western countries, education often emphasizes critical thinking. Students are encouraged to explore ideas and question norms, and failure is seen as a valuable part of the learning process. In contrast, the education system in India is often characterized by a more rigid, exam-centrist structure and societal value is often placed on educational success. The educational and cultural attitudes towards failure shape how young people perceive risk, cope with stress and seek support, all of which directly influence their patterns of substance use.

Addressing these issues requires culturally sensitive approaches that acknowledge these differences and promote healthy coping mechanisms, open discussions and supportive environments for young people in both contexts.

Despite the differences, the experience at the conference was incredibly enriching. Engaging with experts and fellow participants who shared diverse perspectives allowed me to absorb new ideas and perspectives on substance use and its prevention. The conference broadened my horizons and reinforced the idea that growth often comes from navigating the unfamiliar. It emphasized that the solutions to complex issues such as substance use require not only
understanding the problems, but also embracing the rich tapestry of cultural contexts in which they exist. By actively participating in this dialogue, I felt more equipped to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing conversation around substance use prevention in diverse communities.

Thank you very much to Urban, the IYTT Director and Co-founder, for allowing me to represent the IYTT, to the Fourth Wave Foundation for inviting me and the IYTT, and to Project Venda and the Colombo Plan for a very interesting youth forum.

Sophia Kaur Badhan, Youth Fellow, IYTT