Focus: Abstinence program alive in schools despite funding cuts

AKRON -- A program that trains local high school and middle school students on promoting abstinence in their schools will continue, despite cuts in federal funds.

Concerned About Teen Sexuality (CATS) is in its 22nd year and is being implemented in 80 schools across Summit, Stark, Medina and Portage counties.

Teens recently attended training sessions where they learned how to help their peers choose abstinence when faced with a choice to be sexually active.

"The reason a lot of kids are sexually active or having sex is because they think everyone else is doing it and they won't fit in if they don't (have sex)," said Kandice Saulsberry.

"My message is that you have the strength to say 'no' and you don't have to follow the crowd," said Matthew Jarosz.

The program survives in part by federal funds, monies which were recently cut as Congress votes to shift $100 million from abstinence programs to broader sex education programs that include education on contraceptives.