China’s Exam Pressure Pushes Teens Toward Online-Purchased Prescription Drugs
Chinese teenagers facing intense academic pressure are increasingly using prescription medications obtained online to escape reality, sometimes in dangerous overdoses. While authorities have tightened controls on cough suppressants and other drugs, access persists through chat groups and unregulated channels. The issue highlights a broader youth mental-health crisis in China, with government plans to expand support by 2030 amid a shortage of child psychiatrists. Experts stress the importance of family dialogue and accessible mental-health services to address the underlying anxiety driving this trend.