Another State Fights To Save Abstinence Education
OH abstinence education supporters Voice Their Choice;
urge Governor to stop weakening health message to students
Washington, DC (November 29, 2007) — Today hundreds of citizens from across Ohio rallied at the Ohio State Capitol to urge Governor Strickland to accept free federal funds for abstinence education and stop diverting money approved by the Ohio State Assembly expressly for abstinence education into other risky sex education programs. Citizens participating in the rally want middle and high school students to hear a strong message on the health merits of delaying sexual activity.
"The Ohio State Assembly unanimously supported accepting federal abstinence money during the budget debates, and Governor Strickland - once an abstinence education supporter - has now rejected their intentions and put Ohio students' health at risk, " said Valerie Huber, Executive Director, National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA).
"By rejecting federal abstinence education support, Governor Strickland is weakening the health message offered to Ohio students in an era of epidemic STDs," said Angela Smith, Director of Health Education and Preparedness for the Huron County Health Department.
Governor Strickland supported abstinence education as a U.S. Congressman, but as governor has vetoed federal abstinence education funds, favoring less comprehensive programs that do not provide comprehensive tools and instruction to help students make the choice to delay sex and develop healthy relationships.
Abstinence education programs in Ohio provide adolescents with information about contraception and STDs, while emphasizing that abstaining from sex is the only way to avoid all physical and emotional risks associated with casual sex.
"Ohio's students deserve to know the truth about the risks of casual sex, but Governor Strickland's action means we could lose these programs, and I think a lot of students won't have the skills to make the best choice for their futures, " said Andrew Pickard, a student at Chanel High School.
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For more information:
http://abstinenceassociation.org/voiceyourchoiceohio/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patra Stephan, Communications Director,
202.248.5420/
202-246-3822