Although the Northern Kentucky health department's new “abstinence-only” approach to sex education has stirred fierce community debate, the change isn't expected to affect many students.

        School districts provide their own health curriculum, which includes sex education. Few use the free sex education programs offered by the health department.

        However, with the department's new abstinence approach, some educators say schools may be more likely to participate.

        “This is a lesson that children need to learn,” said Jim Molley, superintendent of Erlanger-Elsmere Independent Schools. “That has to be our first approach when addressing all the ramifications of premarital sex.”

        The Northern Kentucky Independent District Board of Health voted 16-4 Wednesday night to change all of its sex education programs to an “abstinence-only” curriculum.

        Despite a sharply divided audience at the meeting, the board made the change to raise awareness of the negative effects of premartial sex, said board member Addia Wuchner.

        Ms. Wuchner is chairwoman of the Human Sexuality Committee, set up by the health board in December to review its sex education programs and develop criteria for future programs.

        “Abstinence is the best sexual behavior for our teens,” she said. “The future health of our society depends on the character of young people.”

        Ms. Wuchner said she thinks more schools will use the department's programs with the emphasis on abstinence.

        The change will make the programs more attractive to parochial schools, said Lawrence Bowman, education director for the Diocese of Covington.

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