Wake to Host Abstinence Workshop May 3 for Teens, Parents

4/18/2008

Wake County Human Services' Teen Clinic invites teenagers and their parents to attend, Abstinence: The Pathway to an STD-Free and Healthy Life, on Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Drive, Raleigh. Students 12 to 19 years of age, and their parents, must preregister for this free program.

"It is important for parents to be knowledgeable and comfortable talking to their children about sex," said Wake County Certified Physician Assistant Carolyn Stokes. "HIV disease is affecting more of our teens and young adults than ever before. This workshop will help families open the dialogue by engaging them in discussions on abstinence, teen pregnancy, STDs, dating violence, self-esteem and communicating with teenagers.”

Data collected by the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition of North Carolina reveals that North Carolina has the ninth-highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. Wake County had a total of 1,194 teen pregnancies in 2006. Of these, 405 pregnancies were among 10- to 14-year-old girls. The report also stated that 407 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 had abortions in Wake County during 2006.

Abstinence: The Pathway to an STD Free and Healthy Life is being held in conjunction with National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM), sponsored by Advocates for Youth each May. NTPPM seeks to involve communities in promoting and supporting effective teen pregnancy prevention initiatives.

Teens and parents may register for the workshop by calling Carolyn Stokes, Certified Physician Assistant, at 919-250-1265.

 

back to current news items