Michigan Schools Target Risky Mix of Alcohol, Sex

The scene is nothing new to Stevenson High School 10th grader Julie Phenis. At parties, the guys keep a steady flow of beer coming to girls and then try to pressure them into sex. "The girls are drinking beer after beer, and the guys really never seem drunk. But you know they expect something to happen," said the Michigan student.

The situation is a nationwide problem: Teens and young people get drunk or high, then engage is risky sexual activity. A recent national survey shows teens who drink alcohol are seven times more likely to have sex than non-drinking teens. "I'm deeply, deeply concerned," said Laura Matthews, a social worker at Rochester High School. "And when they're under the influence, they're more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior so the consequences ate STDs, pregnancy, emotional damage and damage to their reputation," she said.

Fred Price, assistant director of instruction at Livonia Schools, said the district tries to leave students with more than the basic information. "You can give them knowledge, but the real test is how they use the knowledge and apply that to situations," he said. "We want to give students the skills to make good decisions." Still, not all Metro Detroit districts require students to learn about risky behavior. Northville Public School officials decided to make their health class optional for high school students last year after some parents complained they'd rather discuss such touchy topics at home. Yet some administrators say it's risky to expect parents to provide all the information teens need about STDs, birth control and AIDS.

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