Hyderabad faces mental health crisis as drug abuse and urban neglect surge

By Sudhansu R Das 

Hyderabad is witnessing a sharp surge in mental health crises—symptomatic of a society under stress. Over the past five years, the city has recorded a staggering 1300% increase in drug-addicted patients at the Drug Treatment Clinic (DTC) at the Institute of Mental Health, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. This is the steepest rise across all DTCs in India.

“This data is just the tip of the iceberg,” warns de-addiction expert K. Devika Rani. “Thousands, especially youth, are addicted to substances such as cocaine, LSD, MDMA, along with cannabis and alcohol. The addiction is so severe that reversing it is often impossible.”

This rise in addiction is not an isolated health issue—it reverberates across the social fabric, contributing to family breakdowns, crime, road accidents, and economic losses. Unless tackled holistically, this crisis could severely disrupt Hyderabad’s social, cultural, and financial health.

The drug trade cannot be curbed without strong, honest leadership in the departments tasked with controlling narcotics. Officers should receive specialized training to dismantle drug networks. Without strict enforcement and moral integrity, even the most well-meaning programs will fail.

Unemployment is a key factor driving youth into addiction. While Hyderabad has grown into an IT hub, with engineering graduates finding work in tech and pharma sectors, these jobs are insufficient for the city's broader youth population. Many are not highly educated or skilled enough to become self-employed or secure formal-sector work.

Yet, Hyderabad holds untapped potential for inclusive growth. For example, the city once boasted 3,000 lakes. Today, only 169 lakes larger than 10 hectares remain under the care of the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority. Had these lakes been preserved, they could have created thousands of jobs in agriculture, fisheries, and horticulture, reducing hunger and improving mental well-being.

The lakes could also serve as eco-tourism sites. Unlike concrete attractions, tourists are drawn to natural beauty. Restoring these water bodies requires political will, ecological awareness, and strategic investment. Properly managed, they could provide sustainable livelihoods to unskilled youth, thereby curbing the temptation of drug use.

Another invisible casualty of rapid urbanization is the loss of community playgrounds. These open spaces are crucial for mental and physical well-being. Without them, young people spend hours indoors, often glued to screens, and are more susceptible to harmful habits. Every neighborhood with 5,000 residents should have access to a well-maintained playground. This is not a luxury but a necessity.

Hyderabad has lost thousands of mature native trees due to aggressive construction. This loss is not just ecological—it affects air quality, temperature, and mental health. Native trees like neem, tamarind, mango, and drumstick offer shade, sustenance, and economic opportunity. They must be replanted along roads, lakes, and government land. Builders should be legally required to plant and maintain native trees in new housing projects. Replacing them with foreign ornamental species robs the city of biodiversity and resilience.

No child should have to travel 10 to 15 kilometers to access quality education. Every child in Hyderabad deserves access to a government school within a two-kilometer radius. Private schools, many of which benefit from government land and subsidies, should be mandated to keep fees below ₹2,000 per student per month.

The token presence of sports facilities in private schools rarely benefits students. Quality education, real-life skills, environmental awareness, and values must be the pillars of education if we are to keep youth away from addiction and nurture a mentally resilient generation.

A stable family is the first line of defense against mental illness. Yet, families are increasingly under strain due to alcohol addiction, financial stress, and property disputes. The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, while a significant step toward gender equality, has also led to new complexities, particularly in urban families with small ancestral homes.

When married daughters assert claims over lone ancestral homes maintained by sons, it often leads to bitter disputes that fracture family bonds. This situation is different from larger estates where equitable distribution is feasible. A compassionate and case-specific approach is necessary—one that recognizes the rights of unmarried or destitute daughters while also preserving family harmony and mental well-being.

Greed over small properties should not destroy familial ties. Reform in succession laws, guided by wisdom rather than litigation, can go a long way in preventing psychological trauma that drives many into addiction.

Mental illness in Hyderabad—especially among the youth—is a multifaceted crisis. Tackling it requires more than just hospital beds and prescriptions. It calls for a complete ecosystem: honest governance, inclusive employment, green spaces, accessible education, strong families, and community cohesion. If Hyderabad can lead the way in creating this environment, it could serve as a model for cities across India struggling with the same silent epidemic.