HYDERABAD: Once meant for rekindling old friendships and sharing memories, school and college alumni groups in Hyderabad are now being infiltrated by drug peddlers exploiting nostalgia and trust to peddle narcotics. The disturbing trend has come to light as psychiatrists and de-addiction experts in the city report a surge in substance abuse cases, especially among teenagers and young professionals.
According to experts, drug traffickers are leveraging alumni platforms—both online and offline—to identify vulnerable individuals. Using their former ties as classmates, peddlers gain trust and gradually introduce narcotics during social catchups or reunions.
“In one instance, a corporate employee was found using MDMA supplied by her former school friend,” shared Dr. K. Devika Rani, a de-addiction specialist. The friend-turned-peddler had monitored her social media activity and noticed her regular weekend gatherings. “He suggested ways to ‘enhance’ the party experience, which eventually led to drug use,” she added.
Another chilling case involved a 16-year-old boy who became violently aggressive and began self-harming after becoming addicted to alprazolam, a prescription sedative often misused recreationally. “His parents had to physically restrain him to get him admitted to a rehabilitation facility,” said Jawaharlal Nehru P, senior psychologist at Tele Manas, Telangana. “He was introduced to the drug by a schoolmate, and the comfort of a familiar face lowered his guard.”
Psychologists warn that the emotional familiarity of reconnecting with old classmates often creates a false sense of security. “Just because someone was your friend years ago doesn’t mean you know who they are now,” said Nehru, stressing how the illusion of trust can make individuals—especially youth—easy targets.
Experts note that the problem has grown beyond city limits. Many peddlers are now using alumni groups to target students in professional colleges, both in India and abroad. Drugs are being distributed during sleepovers and house parties in the form of brownies laced with hash oil, flavored vapes, or party pills.
Dr. Charan Teja Koganti, a neuropsychiatrist, recounted a case of a Class 11 student from Pune who procured drugs locally and supplied them to friends in Hyderabad during his visits. “In another case, a former student who returned from Karnataka for a school reunion introduced cannabis to old classmates. We are seeing more of these cases, and alarmingly, the age of those affected is getting younger—some as young as 14,” he said.
What’s more concerning is that some students are now becoming small-time peddlers themselves, using alumni group contacts to push substances for easy money.
As the line between friendly nostalgia and dangerous influence continues to blur, experts are urging parents and institutions to be more vigilant. “It’s time to stop romanticizing every reunion or school group chat,” said Dr. Rani. “Monitoring online groups, building awareness, and recognizing red flags early can help prevent more such cases from spiraling into tragedy.”
