Distribution of Contraceptives, Approved at Gloucester

Filed in archive Pre-Conception on October 9, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 6851026

Remember that pregnancy pact school in Gloucester? Now, the school's committee has approved distribution of contraceptives to students, with parental consent.

From The Boston Globe:

The plan allows parents and guardians to withdraw their children from the contraceptive program. The new policy will take effect after the school board votes on the final language of the parental consent form.

About 20 parents and students gathered at City Hall to discuss providing contraceptives, with parental consent, through the school's health clinic or continuing the current policy of no contraceptives.

Gloucester made national headlines in June when Time magazine reported that several teenagers entered into a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together.

Although Mayor Carolyn Kirk said the pact did not exist, the controversy pushed the School Committee into a series of debates about the merits of providing contraceptives at the school's health clinic.

School Superintendent Christopher Farmer agreed with last night's decision.

Pact or no pact, I think high school students have to be guided and educated well in terms of pregnancy, sex and even cervical cancer and cervical cancer vaccines. The education of course starts at home. And I agree with the distribution of contraceptives at Gloucester. These high schools are having sex, period. Better to have them protected.