Media Release
22 March 2004
Sex Education Urgently Needed
New Zealand First is calling on the Government to act immediately and run a public sex education campaign aimed at
teenagers to try and stem the alarmingly fast growing rates of sexually transmitted diseases in this age group.
The latest ESR report on sexually transmitted infections showed thousands of cases of STD’s were reported in this age
group between October and December 2003.
“These are very distressing figures, particularly the 27 cases of infections in girls under the age of 15-years-old,”
said health spokesperson Barbara Stewart.
“One of the most urgent problems is the growing rate of Chlamydia infection. A public education system is urgently
needed. The use of television advertising, especially on music channels, printed advertisements in the teenage magazines
would be effective ways of getting the message across.
“The risky behaviour indulged in by many teenagers is aggravated by easy access to alcohol and drugs. The lowering of
the drinking age has done nothing to improve the situation and we should be re-examining that decision.
“In the meantime it is absolutely essential that action is taken to see better communication with our teenagers about
the dangers of unsafe sex,” said Mrs Stewart.
ENDS