We've had years of programming that simply isn't working - and further, in 2007 we found out that the Bush Administration's HHS Department was fudging data and requiring the use of

"misleading" and "scientifically inaccurate" information in three curricula used by programs that receive federal abstinence-only funding."

At this point 17 states including California opted out of Abstinence Only Education refusing federal funds that mandate it be the only way if funding is accepted. The AP went further by reporting that "participation in the program is down 40 percent over two years. . . Arizona and Iowa recently announced they will pull out at the start of the upcoming fiscal year."

This means of the 28 states that accept the funding only $21million of the full $50 million allotted to states was actually being used because states just didn't believe in the program.

AFY goes further raising questions about the 2010 Budget because it says it will provide

“medically-accurate and age-appropriate information to youth who have already become sexually active.” Does this mean that those who haven’t had sex yet don’t get this sex education? How will “sexually active youth” be identified? Or what assumptions will go into deciding who receives these lessons?

Are the “model” programs that “stress the importance of abstinence” also required to provide the “medically-accurate and age-appropriate” components? Or are those “model” programs stressing abstinence the same “faith based efforts” that the previous Administration funded?

Will we see a parallel stream of funding that allows those ineffective, harmful abstinence-only programs that are rooted in simply telling kids that it is dangerous and immoral to have sex before marriage, while ignoring or misleading youth on the effectiveness of contraception?

And perhaps most concerning, there is no reference to “comprehensive sex education" AFY Blog

The points are well argued and raise an important issue that is necessary for the next HHS (whoever that might be) to take on as soon as possible. We must stop these reckless programs which consistently mislead and outright lie to young people who deserve to have the proper information and education to better arm themselves against health threats.

I'm reminded by the great opening West Wing scene which I lovingly refer to as the Religious Smackdown where the good Pastor says, "Show the average teenage man a condom and his mind will turn to thoughts of lust." And Toby says, "Show the average teenage male a lug wrench and his mind will turn...."

Fictional Surgeon General or not - condoms reduce teen pregnancy and HIV and AIDS. (pdf)