Becoming a Coalition member helps you to:

1. Gain support from others who have chosen to be abstinent.
2. Learn character development skills and learn how to avoid risky behaviors.
3. Help in the effort of spreading the abstinence message.
4. Learn leadership and goal setting skills.
5. Meet new friends.
6. Become involved in creating positive life activities.
7. Become involved in radio, television, and billboard ads.
8. Participate in many indoor and outdoor activities.
9. Win great prizes and have lots of fun.
10. Develop brainstorming and creative skilld in risk behaviors, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.

The purpose of the East Texas Abstinence Program (E.T.A.P) is to provide abstinence education to youth ages 12-18 by implementing community-based, abstinence only education interventions designed to reduce the rate of births to teenagers, the proportion of adolescents who have engaged in sexual intercourse, and the proportion of adolescents who have engaged in risk behaviors, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.