Healthy Respect Media Release

New York State Health Commissioner Rejects More Than $3 Million to Over 40 Community Based Organizations for Abstinence Education

Puts New York State Teens at Risk

Bronx, NY (September 24, 2007) – Healthy Respect, a leading provider of abstinence education for thousands of students in downstate New York, expressed major concerns with a recent statement by New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines to reject federal Title V funding for Abstinence Education programs.

"Authentic abstinence education programs have documented success in helping teens to make healthy choices. Commissioner Daines’ statement ignores these successes while failing to even consider the inadequacies associated with so-called ‘comprehensive sex education programs.’ ” said Dr. Nanci Coppola, Director of Curriculum for Healthy Respect.

“In denying more than $3 million dollars to over 40 community based organizations around New York State, Commissioner Richard F. Daines risks putting Gov. Spitzer at odds with parents, the primary educators of children in matters of human sexuality, who desire that teens receive a clear and consistent message regarding the benefits of abstinence and other healthy choices,” said Dr. Coppola.

“While the decision to reject abstinence education funds may be a ‘win’ for narrow special interest groups who want to prevent youth from receiving abstinence education, this decision is a clear and disappointing ‘loss’ for the teens in New York. We urge the state to reevaluate this misguided decision,” Coppola said, “because at a time when state budgets are strapped, the parents and taxpayers of New York question the unthinkable decision of rejecting $3 million dollars of federal support for this common sense approach.”

-###-

About Healthy Respect:

The Healthy Respect curriculum for students in grades 7 through 12 is designed to guide young people in making good choices and set them on a safe course toward success. With age-appropriate lessons, it engenders healthy perspectives regarding the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and promotes abstinence in preparation for marriage by illustrating the power and delicacy of the human reproductive system, while fostering attitudes of self-respect and self-control.

For more information go to:

http://www.healthrespect.org

To schedule an interview with Healthy Respect, please contact Inez Peralta at 718-409-0800.