(11/02/06) HEMPSTEAD - A federal policy that awards grants to states that create abstinence programs has divided the opinions of Long Island residents.

The head of the American Family Association, Frank Russo, supports the federal government's actions. Russo says failed marriages are highly correlated to premarital sex and the number of sexual partners a person has had prior to their spouse. Planned Parenthood of Nassau representative JoAnn Smith believes the policy is absurd. She says abstinence should be stressed, but only as part of an overall sex education program that includes information about birth control and family planning services.

According to the federal government, the country experienced a record number of births to unwed mothers in 2004. Congressmen Steve Israel (D-NY) says the program is a wasted of money and Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) was also critical of the program.