While playing with the idea of the Nogales Unified School District's opportunities for sex-education among its elementary, middle and high schools... I predicted that the classes were very limited to whom they were offered, and what was in the curriculum. An NUSD liaison informed me that there actually is no sex-ed available to the students in the district, yet the idea was considered a while back.

Though sex-ed can be a hot topic among parents, religiously and politcally charged citizens, looking at the rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases along the border makes me wonder if a sex-ed-free campus is a good one.

Additionally, I am happy to say that there is a multitude of organizations that focus on the issues noted above, and target the border's youth. According to a report by the Arizona Department of Health Services and U.S. Mexico Border Health Commission, the following are just a few of these programs:

Summer Youth Institute-Mariposa Community Health Center- An eight-week program that trains Nogales teens to become health facilitators in areas of physical activity, nutrition, HIV, tobacco and injury protection.

Healthy Baby Training-March of Dimes-Training sessions for those working in border communities or with Hispanic populations to inform pregnant women and teens on healthy birth outcomes.

Patagonia School Nurse Project: Provides education to the students and families at Patagonia School on how to obtain health care. Not only this, but the project offers information on how to receive immunizations, prevent injuries and infectious diseases, and promotes maternal, infant and children's health.

The increasing concern for the youth's health along the border should be put at ease, as there are more and more options to solve some of the common problems. I know that when it comes to sex-ed, people have differing opinions that can be proven right or wrong. As long as more people come together to provide the proper education on the issues, and the citizens are aware of these opportunities, we can't complain too much.