A survey of school students from 10 cities in India found that they begin using substances between ages 12 and 13, suggesting that interventions are needed before they reach middle school, according to a study.

For each delayed year of initiation of substance use, the likelihood of substance use disorder decreases, researchers, including those from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, said.

Over 5,900 students of classes eight, nine, 11 and 12 from urban-government, urban-private and rural schools in cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, responded to questionnaires. Questions were related to pattern of substance use, frequency and age when a participant was initiated to use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, inhalants, sedatives and opioids.

"The age of in

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