Teens Are Not Playing It Safer

The percentage of teens who abuse prescription painkillers is down, according to a youth health report but nearly half of those surveyed say they text while driving. Those are among the findings in the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, released last week by the Ohio Department of Health.  More than 1,455 students in 44 public and private high schools throughout the state were randomly selected during the spring of 2013 to participate. The survey, performed every two years, was developed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ohio has participated since 1993. The first time that Ohio students were asked about abusing prescription painkillers was in 2011.  Last year was the first year that teens were asked about texting while driving; 46 percent said they did it. Since last March, the State Highway Patrol has issued 42 citations to minors who were using cellphones while driving, said patrol spokesman Sgt. Vincent B. Shirey. State law bans drivers younger than 18 from using cellphones, but teens still continue to use hand held phones.