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Sat., May 20, 2000

I applaud Sydne Kemp on her article entitled, “Fear of Pregnancy not Worth the Risk.” The theme throughout Ms. Kemp’s piece is overt: it is imperative that teenagers be taught responsibly how to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Some believe this should include contraceptive instruction: the best methods, the most reliable, the most convenient, etc.

However, as coordinator for North Idaho’s PEAK (Peers Encouraging Abstinent Kids) program, I stress the importance of abstinence being taught in schools. Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method of birth control. It also is the only way to guarantee that you will not get a sexually transmitted disease. Abstinence also saves you from the heartache of confusion that can accompany an immature intimate relationship.

The PEAK program, which is expanded to nine middle schools and reaches over 800 students, teaches how to deal with peer and societal pressures to become sexually active, while also showing ways to say no in a nonconfrontational manner. This abstinence-only message is reaching hundreds of teens, and with any luck, these teens will, too, realize that fear of pregnancy is not worth the risk. Brittany Pullins Coeur d’Alene

Editor’s note: This comment was received in response to a May 6 article by Sydne Kemp of Post Falls High School.

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