Edward Surratt presented an education program focused on preventing teenage pregnancy Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Gaffney. Surratt is shown with youth pastor Mark Hazel as well as some of the 80 youngsters present in the "NZone" for the program. Go A.P.E. is the memorable name for a teenage pregnancy prevention curriculum aimed at encouraging teenagers to avoid having sex until after marriage.

More than 80 youth group members at First Baptist Church were encouraged Wednesday evening to make good decisions during a Go A.P.E. program presented by Edward Surratt, project director for the Cherokee County Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. He was invited to present the program by First Baptist Church Youth Pastor Mark Hazel.

Statistics indicate a South Carolina teenager becomes pregnant every 55 minutes.

This results in life-changing decisions for a pregnant teenager which can include postponing future education goals as well as incurring health and economic problems.

Every baby born to a teenager costs the state's taxpayers $22,000, according to the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

These scary numbers are being fought locally through the presentation of teenage pregnancy prevention curriculums such as Go A.P.E (Abstinence Protects Everyone). The program is aimed at helping teenagers make good decisions so they can pursue their dreams.

"The overall message was to make the right decisions by remaining abstinent and not let their friends influence them into doing something they know is wrong," Surratt said.

Surratt expressed his appreciation to Hazel for allowing him to present the program at First Baptist Church. He hopes other local churches will become involved in the effort.

"It is my prayer that other churches will see the need to educate their children about sex, and not be afraid to use our state-approved curriculums to help aid them in this endeavor," Surratt said. "I feel it's time to take a stand on teenage pregnancy and the high rate of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) that seem to be running rampant in our county."

The Cherokee County Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy has several stateapproved curriculums that stress practicing abstinence as the only way to eliminate the risk for pregnancy and STDs such as HIV, Surratt said.

"It's time to take advantage of the resources that we have in front of us instead of trying to reinvent the wheel," he said.

Churches and community organizations interested in having a program presented to their youth can contact Surratt at 902-9904.