ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

Virginia Senate Approves Emergency Contraception for Sale Over the Counter

Advocates for Youth Praises Bill, Urges Virginia Legislature to Extend Confidential Access to Teens

WASHINGTON, DC (February 21, 2001) Advocates for Youth's President, James Wagoner, today praises as "a substantial victory for women's sexual health" a bill that passed the Virginia Senate yesterday to allow women to receive emergency contraception (EC) from a pharmacist without a doctor's prescription. The Virginia House passed the bill earlier this month.

"Virginia legislators should be praised for their efforts in passing this important bill," said Wagoner. Still up for debate is whether teenagers younger than the age of 18 will be able to obtain EC confidentially from a pharmacist. Wagoner urges the Virginia Legislature to extend confidential access of this critical contraceptive method to young people as well.

"Each year 900,000 teens become pregnant. Over 80% of these pregnancies are unintentional, and over 40% end in abortion," said Wagoner. "EC is an important contraceptive option that could annually avert as many as 50% of unintended pregnancies and make abortions less necessary for Virginia's teens. But young people must have confidential access to these services. Without assuring confidentiality, Virginia's gains may be threatened."

Leading national medical associations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American Medical Women's Association, agree that emergency contraception is not an abortifacient, but a way to prevent pregnancy if another method of birth control fails or if a couple has engaged in unprotected sex. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared EC safe and effective.

"We cannot leave our young people behind. Most women seeking emergency contraception are less than 25 years old, have never been pregnant, and have used some method of contraception in the past. As public health advocates, it is our responsibility to provide young people with safe and simple access to this critical contraceptive option and to protect their confidentiality," concluded Wagoner.

Advocates for Youth is a Washington, DC based national nonprofit organization that creates programs and supports policies that help young people make safe, responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

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Note to Editors and Producers: For more information or to set up an interview with adolescent sexuality experts, please contact Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.

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