I have a question for all people who are sexually active or potentially sexually active: If you knew that by being tested for a sexually transmitted disease, you could potentially change the future of our generation, would you make that choice?

Texas Governor Rick Perry has just enforced a law requiring young girls to have the human papillomavirus shot before entering the sixth grade. Apparently, we have trouble making wise decisions on our own.  The government is being forced to babysit us.

According to the American Social Health Association, by age 25 one in two sexually active persons will contract an STD. Sixty-five million people are currently living with an STD in the US.

How long are we going to watch this happen? How long are we going to let the government slap our hands for being dumb? Different organizations are taking a stand for our future. But as individuals in a rampant sexually active community, we are doing nothing to protect our people.

Think big. Be smart. Make your own decisions. Get tested. Go to www.GY09.org to find a testing facility in your area.

Tony Dixon

social work senior