Controversial Wyoming abstinence program resumes this week

An abstinence program cited by a recent congressional report as presenting inaccurate information about HIV is resuming this week in Casper, Wyo. The "WAIT (Why Am I Tempted)" abstinence-only curriculum resumed on January 10 for middle and high school students in Casper despite being specifically mentioned in a report by U.S. representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) as one of 11 nationwide that included inaccuracies and presented false information about sex and sexually transmitted diseases. WAIT was cited in Waxman's report because it teaches students that tears, sweat, and saliva are risk factors for HIV transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says none of the three bodily fluids can transmit the virus. Joneen Krauth, a registered nurse and executive director of the Abstinence and Relationship Training Center in Colorado, says the program will be revamped to remove references to HIV transmission risks through sweat, but she did not mention whether further changes would be made.