Learning from Gloucester's mistake

GLOUCESTER'S SCHOOL Committee vote to make contraception available to teenagers at the high school's health clinic is both good news and a cautionary tale ("Gloucester OK's contraceptives," City & Region, Oct. 9).

This prudent, proven policy was adopted only after a shocking spike in teen pregnancy rates, and an accompanying media spectacle that brought shame, blame, and embarrassment to the young women, their families, and their community. This could have been avoided.

Earlier attempts to offer birth control services were rebuffed by overly cautious administrators at the clinic's sponsoring hospital who feared community retribution, and the medical director and chief nurse practitioner resigned in protest.

Other communities don't have to learn the hard way. Even in tough economic times, we can commit ourselves to funding teen pregnancy prevention programs and age-appropriate health education. Even when it's hard to talk about teens and sex, we should overcome our discomfort and face reality: Young people need and deserve honest, medically accurate information and services to make the best decisions about sex and relationships and to protect themselves against pregnancy and disease.

ANDREA MILLER
Executive Director
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts
Boston