Posted on 12/17/2007 10:05:49 AM PST by UKrepublican
Schoolgirls can get morning after pill wit.hout uttering a word by flashing 'modesty' card
Schoolgirls can now get the morning after pill by handing a request form to a pharmacy to avoid embarrassing conversations.
In a pilot scheme being trialled in pharmacies in Weymouth, Dorset, girls under 18 can get the pill simply by filling in a small card, without speaking to staff or answering any awkward questions.
It means teenagers don't have to undergo the "daunting prospect" of walking into a busy chemists and explain in front of strangers they have had unprotected sex.
The request cards have been printed and are being handed out in schools and youth clubs. Girls are also being advised to keep one in their purses or bags in case they need it in the future.
The initiative is being tested in Weymouth because of its alarmingly high rate of teenage pregnancies compared to the rest of Britain.
Youth workers believe one reason for this statistic is because teenagers are too ashamed to ask for the morning after pill after having unprotected sex.
Keith Williams, health programme adviser at the Dorset Primary Care Trust, said: "At the moment teenagers have to say over the counter that they had unprotected sex and need advice. There is maybe a certain stigma attached to that.
"These cards can be put on the counter rather than having to ask. It is almost adding a degree of confidentiality; people can do it almost without speaking."
He said the scheme is aimed at anyone under 18 who is sexually active.
Pharmacies in Weymouth and Portland have been briefed about the project. As well as the cards, posters and stickers explaining the service have been distributed to schools.
Mr Williams said: "Hopefully this will encourage more young girls to seek advice rather than just hoping that the inevitable doesn't happen.
"We would always advise people to use condoms but obviously mistakes happen and we want to make life as safe as possible for people." He said the scheme would continue indefinitely if it was successful.
Lisa Browne, teenage pregnancy strategy coordinator at Dorset County Council, advised teenagers to have a request card on hand in case they need it in the future.
She said: "It can sometimes be a daunting prospect for young women to walk into a busy pharmacy and ask for emergency contraception so we hope this will make the process easier.
"Whilst we would always advise people not to have unprotected sex, we would encourage women in the area to pick up a card and have it at hand should they need it in future."
Figures show there are 49 pregnancies per 1,000 teenage girls in the Weymouth and Portland area.The national average is 42.
The morning after pill - also known as emergency hormonal contraception - is effective up to 72 hours after having unprotected sex.
Easy. The alternative is that they get pregnant when they are neither financially, psychologically, or physically prepared to be mothers.
Of course, the proper alternative is not to indulge in rampant unprotected sex with a multiplicity of partners, thus spreading diseases, risking their own health, and burdening already stretched social services, but in the absence of any kind of moral background, training or experience (because that kind of thing is “old-fashioned” and “restrictive” in a “modern” country) that ain’t going to happen. And the churches aren’t going to take a lead.
They are too frightened of accusations of “being out of touch”.
But these days its no longer uninteded teen pregnancies. A lot of girls in my home town deliberately get pregnant because of all the benefits they receive from the state, including free childcare, free cots, free housing, child allowances etc etc etc ad infinitum.
Free love? Yeah right.
No.
The age of consent in Britain is 16.
At 16 you can also join the armed forces(but arent allowed to serve in a conflict), police cadets,go to college (but not university), work of course,and until Oct 31st, you could smoke, but now it is 18, except in NI.Oh, and marry but only with your parents consent. Except in Scotland where consent in not needed.
(adopts Homer Simpson voice)
Hmmm, jailbait...
Man that would have been great when I wanted to buy rubbers!
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