THE FACTS

• In 2007, 36% of high school students had been in a physical fight in the past 12 months, 18% had carried a weapon in the past 30 days, 11% had made a plan about how they would attempt suicide in the past 12 months

• In 2007, 48% of high school students had ever had sexual intercourse, and 15% of high school students had had four or more sex partners during their life.¹
   
• In 2007, 39% of currently sexually active high school students did not use a condom during last sexual intercourse.¹
   
• In 2002, 11% of males and females aged 15-19 had engaged in anal sex with someone of the opposite sex; 3% of males aged 15-19 had had anal sex with a male.²
   
• In 2002, 55% of males and 54% of females aged 15-19 had engaged in oral sex with someone of the opposite sex.²
   
• In 2006, an estimated 5,259 young people aged 13-24 in the 33 states reporting to CDC were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, representing about 14% of the persons diagnosed that year.³
   
• Each year, there are approximately 19 million new STD infections, and almost half of them are among youth aged 15 to 24.

• Every day, approximately 4,000 American youth aged 12-17 try their first cigarette, and an estimated 1,140 young people become daily cigarette smokers.³

• In 2007, 20% of high schools students reported current cigarette use and 14% reported current cigar use. 

• Three-quarters of a million teens between 15 and 19 become pregnant each year.

• For young women age 15-19, black teens are most likely to become pregnant (134 per 1,000 women). Slightly lower rates occur among Hispanics (131 per 1,000) followed by non-Hispanic whites (48 per 1,000).

• The birth rate for older teens (18-19 years of age) is now more than three times higher than the rate for teens aged 15-17. In 2006, the birth rate rose 3% for teens aged 15-17 and 4% for teens aged 18-19

When a person has vision and direction, they are less likely to participate in events that get them off of their plan. Train Your Future's programs are designed so each participant gets the opportunity to discuss and evaluate their decisions, whether good or bad. Participants will also find one accountability partner with similar goals who will keep them on track. Positive peer pressure is very effective in deterring youth delinquency.

It is our goal to raise awareness about issues (drugs, violence, teen pregnancy, STD’s, HIV/AIDS and gangs) affecting our children and youth in the Dallas area. Train Your Future  encourages all tospread the word about this great organization & the upcoming F.A.C.T. conference.  Sponsorships are needed to further fund youth programs for students in the Dallas County area. Train Your Future's additional focus is to develop more leadership curriculum, and/or provide afterschool programs for youth. Visit the Ways to Help page for more information on how to support.

Train Your Future realizes that this conference can provide motivation and inspiration, however, ongoing leadership development and awareness is recommended to create effective behavior change to motivate youth for their future.