**1. Introduction**

Substance abuse is a social problem from eternity.World Health Organization (WHO) mentions substance abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and illegal drugs. Substance abuse is "persistent or sporadic drug use inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical practice" [1]. Substance abuse among the youngsters and adolescents is the rising social problem all over world [2].

Alcohol addiction is the leading problem for death and disability all over the world.it is observed that 75 million people are alcohol addicts and 3 million are opioid abusers in India [3]. Due to tobacco addiction nearly 13,000 deaths per day occurs all over It has been predicted by the According to World Health Organization (WHO) that tobacco consumption will lead more than 500 million mortality people by 2030 and it will be the commonest cause of death [4, 5]. Many studies has shown that smokers became habituated at adolescent period. It is unfortunate that consumption of alcohol is getting social acceptance and has become status symbol.

All hard drugs like opioids and other became the easily available which is the important cause of substance abuse in adolescents. Alcohol and opioid addiction is common in children. According to National institute on drug abuse (NIDA), in adolescence marijuana use consumption is common. Many studies had shown that common age group of substance abuse ranges from 12 to 20 years [6].

The United Nations has designed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. They expected that by 2030 all states will succeed to achieve all goals. From above all Sustainable Development Goals, important Goal-3 having Target-5 stresses on Strengthening the prevention of substance abuse and its proper treatment especially of narcotic drug and alcohol abuse. Many researches has confirmed that antisocial activities in childhood leads to alcohol abuse in adolescent. Adolescents is the most important stage of human life but unfortunately this group is most misunderstood and neglected by the society [7].

Substance addiction (drug addiction) and Non-substance addiction (behavioral addiction) are two different disorders. Substance addiction or drug addiction is a neuropsychiatric disorder categorized by a periodic craving for the consumption drug despite of having knowledge about harmful effects. Non substance abuse includes pathological food obsession, internet craving, and mobile phone compulsion [8].

Men are always under stress and for relief of it used many parameters one of it is drug abuse. This problem has risen at all levels in the society in various forms. Drug trafficking is one of the most profitable trades along with petroleum and weapons trade. Every country has and is facing this problem in its own way. Newer forms of drug abuse patterns like solvents are on the rise probably due to strict regulations on other recognized forms of abuse.

Street children in India constitute a group of marginalized population in most urban centers of the country. They constitute children living in streets permanently, who are detached from their families and live on the streets temporarily, children who belong to poor families and spend most of their time on the streets, children living with their families on the streets etc [9].

These children have to put up with a variety of physical and mental abuse and hence are a concern for a wide range of social issues. Poly substance abuse is common among these children and often solvents are the first psychoactive substance they attempt to try. Not much is known as to why children adopt such abusive behavior. Solvents are freely available in the market without any regulations in India. Though a lot of global awareness is reached about this form of abuse it is yet to be recognized by the political circle in the country [10].

We have been facing a shocking rise of substance abuse among the youngsters. Recent times have witnessed a steady increase in drug abuse among younger population, with more children starting substance use from an early age. Further, the delinquent is seen across all socioeconomic groups, from cities to small towns and rural areas, with new and multiple substance use also being recognized [11, 12].

Speedy industrial development with changing lifestyles have left the youth harassed for their survival; compelling many to seek defense in the dark world of substance abuse. India too, is fronting a similar condition that has been paying attention of policy makers and researchers [13–15].

Not only the child, but the family and society as a whole are likely to be disturbed as a result of early onset substance use. Thus, this matter is of nationwide interest and significance. This phase of life is characterized by growth and maturation of brain and body, which potentially affects responses to drugs and treatment [16–19].

*Pattern of Substance Abuse among Children in Slum Areas of India DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105596*

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally 25 to 90% of children and adolescents have consumed at least one substance of abuse [1, 19, 20]. In India approximately 5500 children and adolescents start using tobacco products daily, some as young as 10 years old. A large number of them have used tobacco prior to the age of 18 years [21–23].

Dependence is defined by World Health Organization and American Psychiatric Association, as a syndrome of physiological, behavioral and cognitive phenomena, which lead to loss of control over use. DSM-5, cancels the term 'dependence 'and substitutes it with 'use disorder' [24].

Research on substance abuse among children and adolescents presents its own distinctive challenges. But the main question is that why the Indian society is facing such a quandary where more of the teenagers and youths are indulging in immoral and unproductive activities like substance abuse. The present study has the aim of analyzing the biosocial profile and pattern of substance abusers. The study is indicative for the need of fostering a supportive environment comprising of both parents and teachers so that adolescents can adopt and sustain with the right choices for a healthy life.

## **1.1 Aims and objective**

