COLUMBUS, Ohio – Fewer Ohio teens are abusing prescription painkillers and using heroin as efforts to address such abuse appear to be working, but many are texting while driving.
The Ohio Department of Health’s 2013 Ohio Youth Risk Behavior Survey finds that about 13 percent of students reported using prescription painkillers at least once last year, down from about 21 percent in 2011.
The survey also finds the number of teens reporting they used heroin decreased from 3.1 percent to 2 percent.
The survey produced less welcome news with the finding that nearly of Ohio’s teens has texted or emailed while driving a car.
The survey released this week also found that not enough teens are eating recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables and getting enough daily exercise.
A new question added in 2013 in an effort to measure distracted driving shows that 46 percent of students report texting or emailing while driving a car.
On the other hand, 92 percent are using their seatbelts while only 17 percent admit to driving with someone who has been drinking.
Healthy eating and physical activity continue to be areas where Ohio teens need improvement. Only 19.3 percent of students report eating fruits and vegetables five or more times per day, while 27 percent report eating fast food three or more times per week. Only 26 percent get the recommended 60 minutes daily physical activity and 29 percent of students report a height and weight that classify them as overweight or obese.
Other key findings:
70% of students do not drink alcohol
85% do not smoke cigarettes
75% saw a dentist during the past year
82 % feel safe and secure at school always or most of the time
83 % report having an adult they are comfortable seeking help with a problem
The state Department of Health has conducted the Youth Risk Behavior Survey for 20 years under the direction of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The 2013 survey was completed by more than 1,455 randomly selected students in 44 public and private high schools during the spring of 2013.