TEEN SEX IS GROUP'S SUBJECT PARENTS TAUGHT HOW TO TALK TO KIDS.

Byline: Daily News

SAUGUS - Teen sex education will be the topic at Tuesday's meeting of a support group for teens and their parents.

Judy Belty, executive director of Abstinence Through Education and Mentoring - ATEAM - will address the Action support group and talk about teen sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the ZT bungalows in the student parking lot at Saugus High School, 21900 Centurion Way in Saugus.

``Most parents tell me the hardest talk they have with their teens is the sex talk and discussing their own personal sexual values with their teens,'' Belty said. ``In the `60s and `70s, there were two to three identifiable STDs. Today there is over 30 STDs, and in many teen minds, if they are not having intercourse, they are not subject to getting those diseases.''

Other sexual practices can spread disease, which often doesn't come with symptoms.

Belty will help teach parents how to talk about sex with their teens and how to set boundaries when their teens date.

``Our message is one of empowerment,'' Belty said. ``We want to help empower parents with the tools to talk to their teens about sex and teen high-risk behavior with regard to sex.''

The nonprofit Action Parent & Teen Support Program is a gathering of parents who meet to offer each other support and practical solutions to problems.

For information, call the Action Hotline at (800) For-Teens or [phone]. In addition to the weekly support groups, Action provides individual and family counseling for children, adolescents and adults on a sliding fee scale; low-cost drug testing, immediate inpatient and outpatient referrals; crisis intervention and an emergency crisis team.