Program exists to empower students

If the Aug. 8 article about Linn County sexually transmitted diseases rates wasn't so terribly tragic, it might be laughable ('Linn County STD rates higher than state”).

A proven, viable resource to stem the tide in the battle against these awful diseases is here in the community and largely ignored.

Equipping Youth is our potent weapon, having been in place for more than a decade. Multiple individual teachers welcome this program with open arms and testify about its effectiveness. And not just about sex, young students are educated about making powerful choices in many life areas to ward off abuse, bullying and drugs as well as the peer pressure leading to these unwanted behaviors.

Under President Bush, Equipping Youth was well funded and thriving. The Obama administration canceled the grants supporting Equipping Youth. In the meantime, Ruth Anne Eccles, the director of Equipping Youth, convinced her husband Jerry to take on increasing personal financial sacrifices to keep her effective organization in existence at a subsistence level.

If Pramod Dwivedi, Linn County Public Health director, is to be truly 'aggressive” and 'do something about it” he must waste no time in contacting Eccles, while tirelessly seeking funding to make widespread use of her vast knowledge. Resulting statistics are likely to become very encouraging.

Lynn and Glenn Vosatka

Cedar Rapids