Birth Control...for Kids?

Wednesday night, the Portland, Maine, School Committee voted 5-2 to make birth control pills available to middle school girls as young as 11. King Middle School will be the first middle school in Maine, and one of the only few in the nation, to make contraception available, which includes birth-control pills and patches. To school officials and public health advocates who are in favor the measure, this was a question of dealing with reality. Portland's three middle schools have had seven pregnancies in the last five years, said Douglas Gardner, director of Portland's Health and Human Services Department. Although many people are against this decision, a mother of two at the middle school says, "It's much more important that we reach out to these kids and get them the tools they need to stay safe, stay in school and get an education."

Diane Miller, a school nurse in the district, has said that the plan gives children an adult responsibility in which they are not ready for, and puts them at risk with sexually transmitted disease and emotional problems. A serious effect from contraceptives is the risk of getting cancer. Peter Doyle, a former middle school teacher, says, "You all are going to be responsible for the devastating effects on young women when this goes through." Those who favor the plan said it is not about encouraging premature sex, but protecting kids who don't have support from their parents.

The school system is getting both positive and negative feedback on the issue of distributing birth control to middle school girls. In 2001, a middle school in Texas relied on distributing pills to students for minor reasons. Whether it be a a cut, or a stomach ache. This as well was frowned upon for giving the students the idea that all ailments can be cured by taking medication.