Abstain from Intoxicants, Drugs and Sex (AIDS) Program: The AIDS Program is a school-based abstinence only program for middle/high school and college students. There is an increased percentage of teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This component of the W.A.Y. Ministries educates youth of the consequences and complications of premarital sex. Youth are educated on the fact that: They do not have to be pressured into sex. Having sex too soon can change their life in a way that they may not be ready for. The best way to protect themselves from an unwanted pregnancy, STD and HIV/AIDS is by not having sex. We accomplish this by educating young people not only of the dangers of being sexually active outside of marriage, but we also instill in them the value of sexual purity and why its so important for them to be sexually pure for their future husband or wife. Pamphlets, resource materials, slide presentations, videos and abstinence-based curriculum is made available to the youth during health fairs and school pregnancy prevention assemblies, classroom presentation, etc. Our message advocates the importance of values, sexual abstinence, positive peer pressure, wise decision-making and leadership skills. The youth are also informed of over 20 different sexually transmitted diseases that are rampant among young people. In addition, we educate youth on other problems associated with promiscuous behavior such as infertility, abortions and infected newborns. The cost of this epidemic is staggering, both in human suffering and in expense to society. There are a lot of reasons for youth to choose not to have sex. For the W.A.Y. Ministries, the most important reason is a moral one. We believe intimacy belongs only in marriage. For either religious or personal reasons, this belief is strong. This component of the School Outreach Ministries has been under the direction of Director, Ernie Sims, Jr. since the inception of the W.A.Y. Ministries in 1994. The AIDS Program was funded by the Ounce of Prevention Fund for three years but is currently supported by local and bible-believing churches.