For Immediate Release
February 11, 2008
JACKSON, MS -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi this week will recognize National Condom Week 2008.
"As we get closer to Valentines Day its good to remind people of how important and critical having accurate information and access to condoms truly is," said Nsombi Lambright, Executive Director, ACLU of Mississippi.
Although the state received $5,971,147 in federal funds for abstinence only until marriage programs in 2006, the state's syphilis cases tripled in 2007 and teen pregnancy remained at a standstill in the state. According to the American Social Health Organization each year there are about 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections. Half of these infections occur in youth ages 15-24.
"We want young people to postpone sexual involvement until they're physically and emotionally ready and hopefully in loving stable relationships with the financial support necessary to care for a child" said Lambright. Studies show that nearly half of all teens have had sex by the time they leave high school and the average age of newlyweds is 29 in America. "The reality for most young people in Mississippi in both urban and rural areas is a lack of after-school programs to attend or even movie theaters to pass the time."
Research shows that young people need access to medically accurate information on sexually transmitted diseases, condoms and how to protect themselves for the rest of their lives. Giving teens information on STDs and condoms does not encourage sex, rather it helps teens understand how serious sex is and promotes sexual health and responsibility.
Current legislation would require students to receive parental consent before being allowed to get condoms or birth control from health clinics, endangering all young people in the state under 15.
For more information on reproductive rights in Mississippi visit http://www.msaclu.org/
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