SUPPORT TO KEEP BIRTH CONTROL LAW

The perspective of a religious leader has been entered into the debate on whether or not someone as young as 13 should have access to birth control products, especially the “morning after pill”.
A local evangelist, who spoke to OBSERVER media yesterday on the condition of anonymity, is of the view that the law should not be changed just to accommodate some people who choose to engage in an activity that is illegal.
“We’re talking about sex, but we can talk about other things that people do that they are not supposed to do. Since people are going to use cocaine anyway, why don’t we just give them? Why do we have a law against cocaine, crack and heroin if they are just going to use them anyway?” he asked.
According to the evangelist, giving minors easy access to contraceptives only serves as an invitation for them to engage in activities that they are not supposed to.
“So, it is no different with the condoms. People are going to have sex, so let’s give them condoms. You know, cocaine does more damage than having sex and this is my perspective on it — you cannot facilitate people’s wrongdoing; be not partakers of other people’s sin.”
The conversation followed the suggestion put forward by Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Dane Abbott, on Thursday, that young people should have access to contraceptives. He said as far as he is concerned there are no real side effects from taking “the morning after pill”.
“Just like a 13-year-old can go in and pick up a condom to prevent pregnancy, they should be able to go in and pick up the morning-after pill, because that’s what it does, it prevents pregnancy,” Dr Abbott stated.
Meantime, the President of the National Parent Teachers Association (NPTA) Alister Thomas said that while he does not agree that minors should be having sex, he believes that the discussion should be held on a national level before any changes are made to the law.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)