October 26, 2007

Not Only Abstinence

Below is a Letter to the Editor, submitted to the Post and Courier, written by Lanita Patterson.

Not only abstinence

In response to an Oct. 14 letter to the editor: As a health-care provider, Planned Parenthood knows first-hand the power of education to help individuals make responsible decisions about their health.
While working in the field as a community health educator, I have witnessed first-hand how abstinence-only programs fail our youth. Abstinence-only programs deny our teenagers medically accurate information about birth control and sexually transmitted infections.
South Carolina has the nation’s eighth highest birth rate for 15- to 17-year-olds. Isn’t it time our state focuses on greater access to information and education that helps prevent unintended pregnancies and promotes healthy women and healthy families?
South Carolina needs to help our teenagers protect themselves against unintended pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Abstinence first, but not only.

LANITA PATTERSON
S.C. Community Health Educator
Planned Parenthood Health Systems
1722 Marley Drive
Columbia