'PREVENTION' PLAN IS MISGUIDED

Project Prevention's presence in Hawaii is troubling. It perpetuates
two dangerous myths: that drug use is endemic to the poor, and that
addicts are throwaways, with no hope of recovery and undeserving of
the basic freedom to manage their reproductive health.

The truth is that substance abuse among pregnant women cuts across all
socioeconomic and ethnic groups, and there is help.

Planned Parenthood of Hawaii offers family planning services on a
sliding scale basis - allowing our lowest income patients to obtain
services, including birth control, for free.

It cares for the whole patient, offering gynecological exams,
follow-up care, and substance abuse treatment referrals.

Another option is the PATH Clinic, which provides comprehensive and
judgment free prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care to women with
past or present substance use issues.

The effects of substances used during pregnancy can be grave and must
be prevented. We need to support all women and provide them the health
care and education needed to make the best choices possible for their
reproductive futures.

Jeanne Y. Ohta

Executive director, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii

Katie Reardon

Vice president of government and public affairs, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii