Maine giving birth control pills to middle school students?

Question

Are they doctors? Are they prepared to deal with the consequences of giving medication to developing girls? Have they discussed the side effects of this with parents or students? And the kids don't have to tell their parents?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15407239&ft=1&f=1007

Let's take a look at the side effects for Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, which is a very common pill:

Nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach cramping/bloating, dizziness, vaginal discomfort/irritation, increased vaginal fluids, or breast tenderness/enlargement may occur. Acne may improve or get worse. Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. If you miss 2 periods in a row (or 1 period if the pill has not been used properly), contact your doctor for a pregnancy test.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: changes in vaginal bleeding (e.g., continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding, missed periods), problem wearing contact lenses, dark patches on the skin (melasma), unwanted facial/body hair, swelling of the ankles/feet, weight changes (gain or loss).
This medication may rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) problems from blood clots (e.g., pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: sudden shortness of breath, chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs, headaches that are different from those you may have experienced in the past (e.g., headaches with

other symptoms such as vision changes/lack of coordination, existing migraines becoming worse, sudden/very severe headaches), slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems/changes.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: lumps in the breast, severe stomach/abdominal/pelvic pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, suicidal thoughts, persistent trouble sleeping), unusual tiredness, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-64062-Ortho+Tri-Cyclen+Lo+Oral.aspx?drugid=64062&drugname=Ortho+Tri-Cyclen+Lo+Oral

Schools giving your kids prescription medication even with a check up by a doctor - who might not know all of the child's family/personal history - and without a parent's active participation seems like it's overstepping its bounds. Give condoms if you want, but prescription medication?

Oh...and I'm a single dad to a baby conceived on the pill. My son's mother took antibiotics and we got pregnant.

We're not even discussing STDs here and the false sense of security that giving the pill creates....

Answer 1

we need to seriously examine our society when a school distributes birth control pills for kids as young as 11. adversities, rap music, sex selling everything and their 'heroes' are thugs gangster and drug abusers. no wonder they are so confused. they are robbed of their childhood and innocents at such an early age.

strange that you can't bring an aspirin to school but you can get birth control without a parent's permission. just plain crazy .

who is going to remind the child to take their pill? i wonder for my grandchildren, a lot! where are the parents? where are families who care these days.

does the rest of society have to suffer for the ones who don't care? it is indeed a world gone crazy when this action is accepted by anyone..

Answer 2

It' amazing to me that this school district finds it necessary to give "babies" birth control......I know that this is a different world and kids are having sex earlier, but I feel by just giving birth control pills it really doesn't address the issue. It gives these "kids" a false sense of security....... Also, what are the long term effects to the "kids" if they start taking these pills? I hate it when the Government tries to "step in" and control our rights!! What's next? If the nurse had concerns she should have just "CALLED the PARENTS".....These are "kids" and NOT ADULTS!!!!

Answer 3

I just dont get it..Whats wrong with the adults in our Society. Our country Its slowly getting flushed down the toilet, and we are letting it happen..Whats wrong PEOPLE!!!!!! Let Kids be kids..They are not adults..What has gone wrong with parenting....It just isnt right to be handing out birth control pills to an innocent child..What ever happened to wait until your married to have sex, then have children..Now its the other way around..It just makes me sick how we can all sit idoly by and let it happen..What kind of life are we teaching them, and what kind of life are they going have when they reach maturity. We should be teaching them how to be worthwhile productive citizens, and getting a good education. Parents are not keeping an eye on their children..Thats why we are having to deal with all of these problems in society today. I can predict on thing, and that there is going to be millions of law suits coming up with this one in the future...

Answer 4

LOL, a list of warnings from a drug label. I hope you don't forget to take your pill tonight, now that you've obsessed about a couple of kids in Maine. That's the ironic way life seems to work, for me at least.

To answer:

Giving the kids the pills is better than a pregnancy at age 11. There are risks to pregnancy too you know and they are greater than the medical risks of the pill.

Answer 5

well i didnt read all that but i do have this comment.
if middle school students are having sex....then there is something seriously wrong with the parents of those children

Answer 6

If you read the entire article you would have read this:

"Prescriptions will be given after a student undergoes a physical exam by a physician or nurse practitioner, according to Lisa Belanger, who oversees Portland's student health centers."

Answer 7

Maybe Maine should succeed from the Union, this is going way too far.

Answer 8

So, are all the nut jobs going to blame this on liberals? Even though it has nothing do with them.

Answer 9

i feel there just telling the kids just go and have sex just don't have babies!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

i seen that wtf