Bishop in Maine shocked by policy

Middle school to offer birth control

October 20, 2007|Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine - The head of Maine's Roman Catholic diocese is expressing shock at the Portland School Committee's decision to make prescription contraceptives available to middle school students without parental permission.

Bishop Richard J. Malone said the decision will inevitably lead to more sexual experimentation among younger children. It also sends a message that the government should replace parents in certain parts of a child's life, even without the parents' knowledge, he said.

"I join the number of parents who have expressed their outrage and disbelief at the decision which affects young girls aged 11 to 14 years old," Malone said. "When contradictory messages are given to children from important authority figures such as parents and school officials, it can create more confusion and difficulty for children themselves in making this important life decision."

The Portland School Committee this week voted 7 to 2 to allow King Middle School to become the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available, including birth control pills and patches.

No figures are available on how many middle schools provide such services nationally, but the practice is very rare, according to the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care.

King Middle School students need parental permission to access the school's health center, but treatment is confidential by law, which allows the students to decide whether to inform their parents about services they receive.

School officials have defended the program, saying it can prevent unwanted pregnancies. Birth control will be given out only after extensive counseling, and no prepubescent children will get it.

Portland's three middle schools have had seven pregnancies in the last five years, officials said.

But the policy has also come under criticism. Malone urged parents to make their opposition known to the School Committee, hoping the decision is reversed.

"Everything about the decision gives kids the wrong message," Malone said.

Meanwhile, Michael Heath, executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine said yesterday by phone that the league will ask the state attorney general's office to review the matter for possible criminal activity.