Claim
Public Health credits the drop to "a more comprehensive education program in school, more clinics available for sexual health services and the creation of the Sexual Health Network."
Fact
The more comprehensive education program was first introduced as a pilot project in the Public School in January of 2000. How then did this affect the 1998 and 1999 pregnancy rates?

Weekly clinic hours offered by Public Health and their close partner Planned Parenthood declined 29.7% between the years 1997 and 1999 from 64 to 45 hours per week. In addition, attendance at these clinics for those under 19 years of age declined 57%.

Claim
Public health claims that the more comprehensive education program placed the emphasis on "accurate and up to date information."
Fact
The initial comprehensive education program launch in January of 2000 was so alarming to parents across the Region that the outcry sent shock waves through the Public School Board and Public Health officials. Since its original launch, the 455 page document has been completely re-written twice with the last re-write being a directive from 7 of 8 Public School trustees.

One example of the 'accurate information' they refer to may be found on page 8-45 of version 1 where grade 8 students were taught that to "have many sexual partners but use a condom and spermicide every time" is "low risk behaviour" for the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. A second example of this 'accurate information' can be found on page 8-48 of version 2 where 2 ways of not spreading HIV\AIDS were identified as "sharing eating utensils" and "sharing drinks."

It is now clear that it was not Public Health's more comprehensive education program, increased clinic attendance or accurate information. So what events did in fact preclude the dramatic decline in pregnancy rates?

In late 1996, Hamilton Wentworth Family Action Council intervened for families and educated City Councillors regarding concerns with the Public Health\Planned Parenthood approach to sexual health. As a result of the intense and ongoing education campaign, the following occurred at Public Health & Planned Parenthood sexual health clinics from 1997 to 1999:

1. Combined Annual Funding declined 11.4%
   
2. Combined weekly operating hours declined 29.7%
   
3. Attendance by clients under 19 years of age declined 57% .

The facts speak for themselves. The less exposure our children have to the `have more sex' education style of Planned Parenthoood and Public Health, the better they fare. Health classrooms must return to their original focus of promoting good health, rather than the ideology of a few social engineers wishing to create employment for themselves via increased adolescent sexual involvement.

Thankfully the culture is changing (all be it too slowly) due to some wise aldermen and school officials who, since 1997, have worked diligently to support initiatives which address the true source of adolescent pregnancies. Though Public Health, media and unlearned politicians like to blame poverty and self esteem for our teen pregnancies, the intelligent people know that the sole source of adolescent pregnancies is adolescent sexual involvement. Thus directing our energy into preventing adolescent sexual involvement is the only way to prevent pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Hamilton-Wentworth Family Action Council is grateful for the founding of the Sexual Health Network which has as its stated purpose 'To postpone adolescent sexual involvement'. The 'I'm Worth the Wait' media campaign which provides cultural support for those who wisely choose to postpone sexual involvement is a direct result of the Network's 6 years of work. We are also appreciative of the IDEAS program which is funded by Public Health but directed by an outside consultant who makes it the focus of the school program to direct adolescents away from sexual involvement using positive teen role models as mentors.

There is a need for these types of initiatives which are driven by a desire to see our adolescents remain chaste. Above all, these initiatives must use only personnel who are excited about such a direction and want to see it work. Sadly, Public Health from my observations does not share this vision and remain clinging to the hope that a thin layer of latex will cover a multitude of sins.

Bottom line, when it comes to adolescent sexual involvement, parents continue to be the most effective method of birth control. It is time for Public agencies to work with us and regain our trust which is currently bordering on non-existent.

Jim Enos, Chair, Healthy Living Committee
Vice-President, Hamilton Wentworth Family Action Council