TCPalm.com - Florida's Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches, June 1, 2008 

The St. Lucie County School Board is replacing the “abstinence only” sex education program with a comprehensive curriculum that includes a lesson explaining and demonstrating how a condom is used. As an infectious disease physician and director of an HIV/AIDS clinic in Fort Pierce, I have a keen interest in efforts to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, so I helped tape this lesson.

In a recent letter, “Condom education distracts from schools’ central mission,” state Sen. Ken Pruitt asks, “How do condoms become more important than algebra, grammar, or science?”

A solid scientific education includes a straightforward understanding of human sexuality and reproductive health; this topic is no less important than algebra. It is in our collective interest to ensure that our children learn about the risks of sexual activity including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infection.

It behooves us to teach abstinence as the best way to avoid these risks. But we cannot ignore the fact that the majority of students have sexual intercourse before high school graduation.

Logic dictates that students learn about the scientific evidence demonstrating the risk reduction conferred by proper use of condoms. Are we utilizing all available resources to prevent new infections? We are not.

Our legislators have chosen to ignore their own state Health Department experts who have recommended comprehensive sex education in our schools. The St. Lucie County School Board has taken the necessary steps to implement a clear-eyed pragmatic approach to this problem.

Since our elected state officials have chosen not to lead, they should have the courtesy to step aside as local leadership move forward with these vital actions to help protect our students. 

Gerald Pierone Jr., M.D.

Vero Beach