She emphasizes prevention by noting that, unlike her, most young people can choose not to put themselves at risk for the disease. They provide lectures and workshops to schools and other organizations. Betty Dempsey, a staff member in YAP-I s sister program, the West Virginia Youth Advocate Program, has volunteered in a local peer education program. In the state of West Virginia there are 16 cases of AIDS in the 0-19 age group. Fortunately, it is a low number.
Kids listen to each other before they listen to an adult.
West Virginia is one of the first states in the nation to have implemented a peer education program. The HIV Youth Peer Education Program, a project of the West Virginia AIDS Program, has met with great success in the past few years. Since implementing prevention education, surveys indicate a reduction in the numbers of youth experiencing sexual intercourse. The most recent studies show the number at 56 percent, in contrast with 61 percent in 1995 and 63 percent in 1990. As a result of this initial success, plans are being made to expand the program.