FDA caved in to lobbyists on Emergency Contraception

FDA caved in to lobbyists onEmergency Contraception
EDITOR:
The writer of "There's nothing narrow in view that promotes life" (May 20 letters) does, in fact, endorse a most narrow ideology in her opposition to Emergency Contraception's becoming available over the counter. Women are capable of making their own moral choices when deciding if or when to become a parent. Ms. Knight's letter implies that we should subscribe to the ideology that life begins at conception, regardless of our own personal or religious beliefs.
Had the FDA followed its own advice, American women would have had access to an essential weapon in the fight against unintended pregnancy, one that could prevent 1.7 million unintended pregnancies and 800,000 abortions a year. EC meets all customary FDA requirements for over-the-counter use, including no potential for overdose or addiction. Contrary to what the letter writer would like others to believe, EC is not an abortifacient -- if a woman is already pregnant, it will not terminate the pregnancy. In other words, it will not work.
EC is available without a prescription in more than 25 countries. Evidence shows that women -- even young women -- use it responsibly. And a study at the University of Pittsburgh last year demonstrated that access to EC does not make teenagers more likely to have unprotected sex.
So why did the FDA ignore its own Reproductive Health Drugs and Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committees, which voted 23-4 in December to grant EC over-the-counter status? Simple: because anti-choice forces pressured them to do so, and the FDA caved in to appease those hard-liners at the cost of American women's being. Public health -- and women -- deserve much better. Kudos to The Vindicator for exercising good judgment and common sense in its support of Emergency Contraception.
REINETTE UYS, LISA ROBINSON, FLORENCE HARSHMAN and GABRIEL PALMER-FERNANDEZ
Board members, Planned Parenthood of the Mahoning Valley
Youngstown
Catsoules filled big shoes,and he did it wonderfully
EDITOR:
On May 16, we lost a very special person dedicated to education, Emanuel Catsoules.
I met him at a parent meeting about 25 years ago. He had been named to follow a great superintendent of schools, Robert Pegues. Some parents, myself included, didn't know what to expect; to follow Mr. Pegues was a tall order.
This warm-faced man came and discreetly asked me about the food we were serving. He was giving up meat for Lent. He also asked for our prayers and support that he would do a good job. The rest is history. He was a great superintendent.
Mr. Catsoules was a warm, caring person. He was a very good listener. He listened to parents and supported our PTA and parent groups. He was reachable. He never looked down on anyone.
As a mother of seven children who attended Youngstown Schools, also as president, vice president and secretary of the PTA and as a member of the Parent Advisory Board and other parent groups, I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Catsoules. It was never a chore. It truly was a privilege to work with this great man. He cared about Youngstown, its city schools and our children.
I'm glad to have worked with such a giant, yet humble man.
He will be missed. Our prayers go out to Mrs. Catsoules and family.
MRS. LEE HAMMONDS
Youngstown
Don't trample on rightsof workers to bargain
EDITOR:
President Bush's objective - to provide freedom for everyone - is highly commendable, but how can anyone equate freedom with the suppression of our right to collective bargaining through unions or other means?
We also all need to realize that people who have the money to buy our products and services are our most important asset, our consumers.
JAMES R. HERREN
Canfield