In light of a dangerous initiative that will appear on the ballot in Alaska in the Aug. 24 primary election, I believe it is pertinent to discuss teenage pregnancy and how it affects our community. If passed, the initiative in Alaska would require parental notification in order for a teen under 18 to get an abortion. Obviously, parents should be involved in this tough decision-making process, but informing parents is simply not an option for some teenagers in difficult family situations. This is just one of many attempted infringements upon reproductive services. In 2008, there were 11,901 teen pregnancies in our state alone. This shocking number is incredibly indicative of the necessity for communities to ensure that teenagers have access to resources that will help them make informed decisions. Prevention and communication are the main solutions to teen pregnancy, but these are not always present or readily available in our community. Teenagers need to be informed of contraception, STD prevention, and abstinence before their first sexual encounter. Not only do they need to be informed – they need access to safe, quality and confidential reproductive health services. When government restricts the access to accurate information and reproductive services, the health and safety of our teenagers is compromised. Let’s give all teenagers resources and skills they need to have a healthy and happy future.

Cameron Michels, Kirkland