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Step right up: Free emergency contraception here
By ASJYLYN LODER
Published May 7, 2007
Local Planned Parenthoods will give away free emergency contraception Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. One per customer, please. "We want this to be something every woman of childbearing age has in her medicine cabinet in case of emergency," said Wendy Grassi, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. The pill, known as the morning-after pill and sold under the brand name Plan B, prevents pregnancy if begun within 120 hours after unprotected sex. Pharmacies dispense it over the counter to women older than 18-years-old. Women younger than 18 can get a prescription for it. Parental consent is not required. "Prevention is the key to reducing the number of abortions in Florida , and every woman deserves every chance to prevent an unintended pregnancy, " read a statement issued by Barbara Zdravecky, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. The Food and Drug Administration made Plan B available over the counter in August, amid accusations that federal officials withheld approval to please conservative opponents. It will be available for free at Planned Parenthood affiliates in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Sarasota, Lakeland, Ft. Myers and Winter Haven. Asjylyn Loder can be reached at aloder@sptimes.com What's happening? Planned Parenthood is giving away free emergency contraception Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. What is emergency contraception? Called Plan B or the Morning After Pill, emergency contraception lowers the chance of pregnancy if started within 120 hours after unprotected sex, or after contraception fails. It is not Mifeprex or RU-486, known as the abortion pill. Where can I get it? In August, Food and Drug Administration made emergency contraception an over-the-counter drug for women older than 18. Most pharmacies carry it, at a cost of $35-$45, and Planned Parenthoods offer it for $30. Planned Parenthood will be giving it away today at their centers at 21A Martin Luther King, Jr. Street S. 9th street in St. Petersburg, and 8068 N. 56th Street in Tampa. For more information, go to www.go2planb.com .
[Last modified May 7, 2007, 14:12:53]
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by JAMES
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05/08/07 08:41 AM
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ABOUT TIME THAT THE GOVERMENT MADE IT FREE TO EVERY FEMALE ON THE PLANTE WHO WONT'S IT. WE WILL NEVER STOP SEX BUT WE CAN STOP UNWANTED CHILDREN.
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by Cynthia
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05/08/07 12:38 AM
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It's not PP is suggesting women engage in irresponsible and worthless sex, it's suggesting they understand the options in the event of an emergency. It's not hypocritical, it's beneficial to the community
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by Catie
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05/07/07 05:49 PM
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I think, JT, you overlook how many Repubs love the issue of abortion as well - oh wait, they call it "selection," when they decide to create life on their own via IVF and then "reduce" the number of viable embryos to keep from having quints or quads.
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by Vallie
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05/07/07 04:55 PM
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I think that more needs to be done on the FDA's side of research. Already there have been appx 10 deaths from the RU-486 in the US. Women need to be protected to the max. These easy constraception pills may have horrible side affects.
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by Mimi
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05/07/07 04:55 PM
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Margaret Sanger the founder of PP was a racist,facist and anti semite.Her Birth Control League sat in on Hitler's Eugenics Supreme Court.Do some research LEARN!
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by Mary
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05/07/07 04:52 PM
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No Lisa,women need to not sleep around with men they don't care about.Quit hanging in bars and picking up losers.
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by Teri
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05/07/07 04:10 PM
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JT....your a man right!?
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by Kellie
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05/07/07 03:35 PM
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@JT re: "irresponsible and worthless sex"
It's called "emergency" contraception for a reason. Stuff happens--condoms break, women are raped, etc., etc., etc.
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by Lisa
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05/07/07 02:58 PM
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JT-Have you ever been to PP? How about posting about how religious fanatics constantly block sex ed in schools because they think it promotes sex? Education is the key. But that goes against the fanatics&their head in the sand theories.
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by JT
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05/07/07 02:43 PM
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Why doesn't planned parenthood ever suggest women not engage in irresponsible and worthless sex in way that gains media attention? Interesting how now the Democrats favorite issue abortion is in bed with BIG PHARMA. You folks are such hypocrites.
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by Lisa
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05/07/07 02:37 PM
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I applaud Planned Parenthood for this. Women need to take control back of their bodies from the misinformed religious fanatics who think we are nothing more than breeding chambers to fill their ranks.
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