The need for a continued investment

Posted on 9/6/08

Ring the alarm... recent national data has revealed some very disturbing trends in adolescent sexual activity. A new report from the CDC released late last week has indicated a slight uptick in rates of sexual activity among teens and a slight downturn in contraceptive use among the same age group. Combined with data released several months ago indicating a RISE in the teen birth rate for the first time in 15 years, this data lends strength to our rally cry - THERE IS NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY!

As we take time to process how these new data trends impact our ongoing work, allow me to thank our Legislature (both House and Senate) for sending a clear message that South Carolina believes in investing in young people. For over 14 years the South Carolina Campaign has delivered assistance to youth serving programs in all 46 counties in the state. Since 1999 - at varying levels - this work has been partially supported by state funding. Eliminating these funds from the budget would have been a tragic mistake and undoubtedly would have led to more children in our state being born at a disadvantage... more likely to live a life of poverty, grow up in single parent homes, less likely to succeed in school, and a host of other social and economic consequences.

Now is a time for all of us to REinvest in prevention efforts targeting our state's youth, certainly not a time to DE-invest!! Please join me in thanking our state's Legislature for their proactive measures to protect funding for teen pregnancy prevention programs. Each member of the House and Senate should be commended for their realization that the prevention of teen pregnancy is in the best interest of all of us!

OK, OK, I'm off the soap box (for now). Try to stay cool South Carolina - this heat is absolutely awful!!!

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