(NaturalNews) UK health experts say girls as young as 13 should be able to access the pill at pharmacies without prescription in the UK. As reported in the Telegraph, the rules regarding the treatment and prescription of contraceptives to under 16's in the UK, are governed by the Fraser Guidelines. Rules that were put in place following legal challenges from parents. Under the guidelines, under 16's were able to obtain contraceptives, if they were prescribed them by a doctor or health professional, if they were of sound judgement, mature enough to understand the implications and had refused the right to tell their parents.
Under the proposals children would have quicker access to contraceptives than most women, who must have regular screening for conditions such and thrombosis, blood pressure issues, obesity and heart disease. The children who themselves may be overweight or have medical conditions would be merely interviewed by the pharmacist.
The proposals have been met with opposition from many groups including parents, family groups and Christian groups, who all believe that the issue of underage pregnancy in Britain should be tackled on a social level. They point out that sex under the age of 16 in the UK is illegal and these schemes give a green light to those who want to be sexually active under age. However groups such as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service believe that it is a welcome step in preventing accidental pregnancies in the UK which has the highest underage pregnancy rates in Europe.
Although the benefits of easy access to
contraceptives mean preventing some life changing events from happening, it does seem as if the safeguards that were put in place for adults are being overly relaxed in the pursuit of sales of drugs to vulnerable people. These drugs should only be prescribed under the supervision of a doctor. This is not opinion, this is the guidelines under which the drugs are administered.
The same proposals have been tried before
The fact that children are going to be medically treated without their parents consent, is again surfacing in Britain with this latest proposal. In February a similar proposal was introduced in some schools. On this occasion the guidelines are being circumnavigated by getting girls to approach the pharmacy instead of the school approaching the girls. This is key, as the guidelines state that the health professional can not approach the patient but must give assistance if approached.
Selling drugs to
children is illegal, giving medical treatment without parental consent is in most cases illegal. Why is underage contraception constantly being pursued? Is it because of the failure of society in the UK to give real life choices to young girls in inner city areas? Is it because the drug companies see a new market, one that is blooming and ready to harvest? Do these
health professionals who advocate such measures do so from a neutral standpoint of only caring for public health ? One thing is for sure, young people in the UK are constantly under threat from drugs, the media, poisonous food and sugar laden drinks. Maybe by empowering parents to look after their children until they reach maturity they can be protected. However the role of parent is continuously undermined by schools and media so that the child believes the state has their best interest at heart and not their parents. That way the children are ripe for the next wave of capitalism.
Information for this article can be found:
http://www.nspcc.org.ukhttp://www.naturalnews.comhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk http://www.nhs.ukhttp://www.nspcc.org.ukAbout the author:D Holt has written over 200 articles in the field of alternative health and is currently involved in research in the UK into the mechanisms involved in healing due to meditation, hypnosis and spiritual healers and techniques. Previous work has included investigations into effects of meditation on addiction, the effects of sulfites on the digestive system and the use of tartrazine and other additives in the restaurant industry. new blog is now available at
http://tinyurl.com/sacredmeditation or follow on twitter @sacredmeditate
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