http://www.metro.co.uk/home/article.html?in_article_id=18884&in_page_id=1&ct=5

Morning-after pills could soon be handed out at school gates to cut the number of teenage pregnancies.

The idea was yesterday hailed as one of the best examples of how to help young people avoid pregnancy, and health workers were urged to try the plan.

The controversial scheme has already been credited with cutting pregnancy rates by 22 per cent in Tyne and Wear, where one sexual health adviser even met a girl outside her school, with a pill and a glass of water.

Ms Star's team is being urged by the Government to pool its ideas with those of other health workers to come up with 'best practice'.

Britain has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe, although ministers say figures are at their lowest level for 20 years.

Nationally, there has been an 11 per cent fall in the number of under-18s conceiving since 1998. However, while some areas have seen a fall of up to 42 per cent, others, such as the London borough of Barnet, have seen the rate rise by a similar figure.

Ms Star told a health conference last September that her team had succeeded by taking their services to where teenagers felt most comfortable.

She said: 'I have been known to go to the school gates with a glass of water so I can give a girl emergency contraception.'

Pro-life group Life said handing out morning after pills would do nothing to cut sexual diseases.

Spokesman Niall Gooch added: 'Increased use of the morning-after pill, which often causes an abortion, will hide the true number of teenage conceptions.'

:shock I don't agree with that.

On one hand I agree with this idea. But I can see some sicko taking girls some kind of drug and the running away with them. I really see where there can be big problems with this eventually.

:wow

I think that is complete bullshit
Yes we know kids are going to have sex but teach them about real contraceptives/protectio versus Oh shit I had sex last night and didn't use protection I better go do something :rolleyes

I agree about real contraceptives but a condom can break too. The morning after pill is just as controversial today as the pill was when it came out. A lot of people feel this is giving teens a license to have sex. And maybe all of these contraceptives do just that. But would you rather your dd came up pregnant because the condom broke or that she took the morning after to pill to prevent that from happening? Either way she already commited the act and it cannot be changed. Just something to think about.

:rolleyes

:no I do not agree with this at all. I understand teens will have sex and it is good for them to protect themselves but the way they going about distributing the morning after pill isn't right.

I think if anything give them all the shot for free or something. Cuz you know kids usually wont take the BC pills at the same time everyday so give them the shot and you wont have to worry for 3 months. :giggle Either way though I dunno I guess it can be good but at the same time it's not. :dunno

That's just crazy.

I agree about real contraceptives but a condom can break too. The morning after pill is just as controversial today as the pill was when it came out. A lot of people feel this is giving teens a license to have sex. And maybe all of these contraceptives do just that. But would you rather your dd came up pregnant because the condom broke or that she took the morning after to pill to prevent that from happening? Either way she already commited the act and it cannot be changed. Just something to think about.
I would prefer that she came home pregnant cause the condom broke rather than having completely Unprotected Sex and then going oh I have to do something now

I would prefer that she came home pregnant cause the condom broke rather than having completely Unprotected Sex and then going oh I have to do something now


That is my point. If the condom breaks she has two choces take the pill and prevent the pregnancy or do nothing and possibly become pregnant.

I'm in two minds. The girls still have to contact the health advisor so they still get advice and counselling about safe sex etc, the point is that they don't have to go to an STD clinic to do so (something a teenager might find intimidating!) On the other hand, I don't advocate the use of the morning after pill as a sole contraceptive method and I think making it so accessible may promote it as such.

I'm in two minds. The girls still have to contact the health advisor so they still get advice and counselling about safe sex etc, the point is that they don't have to go to an STD clinic to do so (something a teenager might find intimidating!) On the other hand, I don't advocate the use of the morning after pill as a sole contraceptive method and I think making it so accessible may promote it as such.


I agree with what you have said. That is my fear about this also.

:no

OK the way you wrote it I read that it was one or the other.
I still don't know that I would condone it. I mean hell I am sure most of the ladies here had sex BEFORE they got married, most did not get pregnant some did. Then you have to make an adult decision and I still don't feel that it is a good option but then again I am against abortion except rape etc...
So if she is going to make an adult decision she should be well aware of the consequences BEFORE hand and NOT decide after the fact that well it was a spare of the moment thing now I need to think about protection a little to late!
There are plenty of families who would love to adopt these "unwanted" babies

Ick. I don't agree with that at all :no Bad Bad Bad idea, IMO.

I don't agree with this at all. I have a teen daughter and I do not like the idea that someone at the school gate can give her midication like that but she can't take a Midol without a note from the doctor! Besides the whole moral issue of it. I think people will start using this as a form of birth control just as many do abortion. Instead they should be advocating abstinence or at the very least safe sex. Condoms don't break that often. They are 99% effective if used correctly.

Also the effects of the medication in the long term are not well known.

It's called birth control and condoms. Also, Don't have sex if you can't handle the responsibility of possibly getting pregnant and having a baby.
I'm sorry, but I don't agree with the morning after pill.

It's called birth control and condoms. Also, Don't have sex if you can't handle the responsibility of possibly getting pregnant and having a baby.
I'm sorry, but I don't agree with the morning after pill.


I agree. I'm totally against terminating any pregnancy, even if it is just a possible pregnancy. You drop your pants and you play "grown up games" then you take grown up responsiblilities.
If my daughter were give the pill at scholl and I found out....I'd be one pissed of momma:vent

I don't agree with this at all. I have a teen daughter and I do not like the idea that someone at the school gate can give her midication like that but she can't take a Midol without a note from the doctor! Besides the whole moral issue of it. I think people will start using this as a form of birth control just as many do abortion. Instead they should be advocating abstinence or at the very least safe sex. Condoms don't break that often. They are 99% effective if used correctly.

Also the effects of the medication in the long term are not well known.

They still have to have the initial consult with a health advisor get a perscription to obtain the morning after pill - that hasn't changed. It'd still be on their medical records. The only difference is that instead of going to an STD clinic or their family GP to get the pill, the advisor comes to a setting that is less intimidating for the girl. (I'm not advocating this, I'm just getting the facts straight!)

The only way I even believe in use of the MAP is in cases of Rape.

The only way I even believe in use of the MAP is in cases of Rape.

:yes

I only agree with using MAP in cases of rape or sexual assault.. it has become an escape for girls and women... oh have sex... ooops condom didn't work or well we don't have one.. that's ok I'll get the MAP tomorrow... kind of throws abstinence out the window and safe sex is pretty much forgotten that way... kind of encouraging kids to have sex... and teaching abstinence in school isn't really reliable anymore... kids need to know how to have safe sex because they are going to have it ... parents and administrators in a lot of schools are trying to ignore an ever growing problem!

not too mention that high of a dosage of hormones (i believe MAP has 3 times the normal dose of 1 bc pill--not sure on the numbers) so often can't be good for a girls body.

i would think it could cause infertility! They warn against taking BC too long because it can cause things like that!! So the high dose of hormone can't be good.. you are absolutely right!!

I think its a good idea in a sense but at the same time no. Teens will use the pill as the new condom. No need for it on the night, prevents pregnancy the next day- and its free to get at school. I mean what about stds and such? Well teens think they are invincible and it will never happen to them so use of the condom will drop even further then it already has with teens. At the same time.. its a good idea cos it makes it easy for girls who do need it. I dunno. Win lose situation. Over-all i think the condom should still be the main use for contraception and well teens wont want that cos it numbs the feeling abit.. and if its easy enough to get there hands on a morning after pill- they will take that over a condom in a second! I know i would have. ahh perhaps they should hand condoms out at the front gate.