Comments about ‘STD rate for teens 'shocking'’

Good, bad or indifferent, I have been a Pharmacist for over 30 years. In all this time, I have filled more than a few drugs for STD's for adults. I have never knownly filled one for anyone under 17. Are parents turning their heads away, or where is the treatment for all these younger kids coming from.

Where is Treatement: Maybe the kids here in Utah don't have the percentage of STD's that kids do in other states? Gee, ya suppose that Utah's predominant values might have a useful purpose besides just causing Mormon haters to have an aneurism?

Tom you must live with the tumbleweeds. Although Utah's number are not near as high as some states we are higher then others. Catholics, Jews, & believe it or not even Atheists have values. Teaching abstinence ONLY is absolutely a mistake & only makes these issues worse. Don't make this about religion. Teach our kids values AND that simply using a condom EVERY time can save their life. My fear is that teens are not getting treatment because they don't know who to turn to.... The reason Mormons get a bad rap is because of Mormons like you that choose to ignore real life and refuse to believe that other religions have morals and values. Quit thinking you are immune to "evil doings" simply because you attend church every Sunday. I know good Mormons that actually practice what they preach. Unfortunately, many Mormons practice judgment rather then acceptance. They make it clear if you are not Mormon you are not as good as thee. THAT is why there are Mormon haters. Accept people for who they are and the good inside.

Until teens see adults being responsible for their action--whether by abstinence or condoms or any other contraceptive--you'll see this trend continue. The best sex ed program will still fail to get results if television shows, books, magazines and movies continue to glamorize unresponsible sex like they do now.

Leave religion out of a debate like this unless you're speaking to members of your faith--we aren't responsible for each other's values; if you want to influence someone, live life like you preach, don't spit insults and blame at other people.

For the one quoted in the article to say these results are indicative of poor sex education is the wrong assumption to make when looking at the data.

We need to teach abstinence but also teach the dangers of STD's. But teaching is only a part. No amount of teaching in a school situation could ever counteract the message being given to teenagers in all of the popular media from movies to music.

The same people who say we should never censor what can be watched are the same ones who want to teach condoms and safe sex to minors. How about including a warning with every piece of media that promotes promiscuity to teenagers. Just like a pack of cigarettes you could put a big bold caption that read: practicing the actions depicted in this song, movie or show results in STD's in almost 50% of sexually active teenagers.

The parents who oppose exposure of the kind to their kids won't complain because they monitor what their kids watch.