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This paper shows the analysis of the meaning of psychoactive drug consumption among indigenous students from the university located in Medellín, Colombia, 2012. This study used grounded theory, rooted in symbolic interactionism as analysis techniques. Six semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted, and 2 focal groups. As a result, the authors characterized the difference in meaning that consuming traditional plants and psychoactive substances has for indigenous communities and for the western community. Likewise, they identified the role of context, peer interaction, and cultural identity. It is concluded that the students’ concepts of traditional indigenous plants and psychoactive substances demonstrate that a transformation is taking place which westernizes the traditional meanings and practices. This is a consequence of the knowledge and experiences acquired in the city, an interaction with Occidentalism that can be detrimental, given their weak cultural identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]