j----_. - New York Civil Liberties Union

Mahopac 059
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
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The major focus of Reducing the Risk: Building Skills to Prevent
Pregnancy, STD and RN (Second Edition) is the practice of communication
skills to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of HIV. A primary goal of
prevention efforts with teens is to educate them to change risk behaviors and
to practice behaviors that eliminate or reduce the risk of pregnancy or HIV
infection.
Reducing the Risk was developed with the specific intent of influencing
adolescent sexual and drug behaviors. This cuniculum is designed to be
embedded in the context of a comprehensive family life or health education
program and is particularly appropriate in communities where there are high
rates of teen pregnancy, drug use and sexually transmitted diseases.
Some of the material in this publication is controversial due to the nature
of the subject matter covered. The laws relating to teaching sensitive topics
in the classroom vary throughout the country and will have an effect on what
may be taught and how it is presented. We recommend that teachers
understand and apply district policies and state mandates and obtain parent,
school board and administrative support before using the material. We also
encourage teachers to adapt the dialogue of the role plays to make them more
culturally and/or regionally appropriate.
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