Abstinence education grew 17-fold — from $10 million in 1997 to $176 million this year — when the Republicans controlled Congress

Abstinence groups try to keep education fundsSome Democrats want more spending to go toward comprehensive sex ed | April 10, 2007

WASHINGTON - Abstinence-only educators say there's more to their programs than the "just say no" mantra of the anti-drug movement.

But that's just what they're saying to Democrats looking to curtail a program that grew 17-fold — from $10 million in 1997 to $176 million this year — when the Republicans controlled Congress.

Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation promoting comprehensive sex education instead of abstinence-only curriculum. They want to send money to schools that stress abstinence while also instructing students about the health benefits and side effects of contraceptives. ...