(SF)

Panel Recommends Offering Contraceptives To Students
By Tyler Lopez,

DENVER -- Teens could have access to condoms at school if a task force recommendation is followed.

The Future for the Denver School-Based Health Centers Task Force presented its findings to Denver Public Schools Tuesday, recommending contraceptives be available in schools.

"Yes it would be a big change. I think it's clearly a controversial issue that requires us to think about," said Dr. Paul Melinkovich, task force member and director of Community Health Services for Denver Health Medical Center.

Denver Health runs 12 health centers in DPS middle and high schools.

The proposal would offer contraceptives to high schoolers who have parental consent at the clinics in an attempt to slow teen pregnancy rates.

"It's a problem throughout the state but particularly in Denver that the teen pregnancy rate is high. Contraceptive services are one, on an evidence-based way, to prevent pregnancy," Melinkovich said.

The nine-month study found the clinic "does not dispense any method of contraception including emergency contraception. Providing contraceptive management on-site would significantly reduce the multiple barriers adolescents face in seeking contraceptive care and preventing unwanted pregnancies."

"Then the kids probably wouldn't be so scared to tell their parents, 'I need condoms or birth control,'" said Kathy Trujilo, parent of a 15-year-old.

Her son thinks the idea of birth control is part of sex education.

"I know kids that don't want to hear about it out of school. That's probably the only way they'd pay attention to it," Paul Trujillo said.

"You're advocating sex at a younger age and before marriage. And I have a problem with that. I understand it goes on but I still have a problem with it," parent Rollie DeAnda said.

The recommendation gives the principal primary responsibility for figuring out how students would access the contraceptives.

But West High's leader said he'd want to build a consensus before implementing anything this unusual.

"It's not just about me. It's about what's the feel and support that we have for something like this. It's a hot topic. And I think, in those cases I've learned you have to go slow," said West Principal Patrick Sanchez.

The list of suggestions now goes to the Denver Public School Board.

There is no time frame on when a decision will be made.

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