Talk to Them is the result of a collaboration of local and statewide organizations dedicated to providing quality education and services to the people of Oregon. For more information about each partner in the Talk to Them effort, please visit the individual partner pages.

Abstinence education is part of Oregon’s teen pregnancy prevention strategy. This strategy focuses on providing youth with refusal skills, goal setting, and positive peer support in an informed, practical way. It supports the growing number of students who are choosing to remain abstinent and recognizes the key role played by parents in the success of these programs.

Abstinence programs are designed to help all youth avoid risky sexual involvement, while encouraging sexually active teens to consider the benefits of abstinence.

The skills taught in abstinence education reinforce the skills taught in drug and alcohol prevention courses. This is particularly important in light of research connecting the use of alcohol and drugs with sexual behavior in the adolescent population.

Goal of the strategy
Foster a community environment that supports and strengthens young people’s decisions to choose abstinence.

One of the recommended action items is to identify and implement effective strategies that offer abstinence education resources to parents and guardians.