A prominent Indian neurologist has issued a stark warning over a growing trend of young people being admitted to emergency wards with serious neurological and cardiac complications linked to recreational drug use. The concern follows a noticeable rise in strokes, seizures and heart-related emergencies among individuals in their twenties, a pattern experts say reflects the rapid normalisation of substance use in social settings.
Dr (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji, a senior neurologist with nearly 30 years of clinical experience, said in an ANI podcast that even cannabis — often perceived as harmless — is capable of triggering severe health issues, including cardiac problems, lung damage, headaches and stroke. He described the rising acceptance of recreational substances as “deeply alarming” and argued that there is “absolutely no justification” for their use.
According to Dr Mukherji, recreational drugs are often promoted as safe or fashionable, a narrative he believes is being pushed with a hidden agenda. “There’s nothing like a party drug,” he said, warning that substances marketed under such labels are “unequivocally dangerous”.
Government data underscores the scale of the issue. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment estimates that 3.1 crore people — around 2.8 per cent of the population — use cannabis in some form, while opioid use affects an estimated 2.26 crore individuals, with heroin reported as the most widely consumed. Several northeastern states have recorded opioid usage rates surpassing 10 per cent.
Dr Mukherji said his medical team now treats young patients with drug-related neurological emergencies “once a week,” noting that routine urine screenings frequently detect substances not initially disclosed by patients. He also criticised the escalating dependence on commercial energy drinks, saying they offer “no real benefit,” and expressed concern over rural reliance on unscientific traditional remedies for conditions such as epilepsy and stroke.
Calling for urgent government intervention, he urged policymakers to expand affordable health insurance, strengthen emergency transportation systems and invest in nationwide neurological awareness campaigns. Early response and improved public understanding, he said, would significantly increase survival and recovery rates.
Describing the situation as one of India’s most pressing emerging health threats, Dr Mukherji said reversing the rising acceptance of recreational drugs will require strong public messaging, stricter policies and timely intervention to protect the country’s youth.
