November 1, 1999

Marion County Juvenile provides a variety of programs, services, and sanctions when young people get into trouble with the law.

One of the first things (within 48 hours) that happens when a child goes to Marion County Juvenile is he or she is given a physical examination. The child is treated for any disease he or she may have. (Are female children given a gynocolocial exam or simple physical? Is the exam given by a doctor or a nurse? What if there is concern requiring a doctor or specialist?)

Some, many, have sexually transmitted disease. Yes, these diseases must be treated. There are serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases. And, yes, counseling is important to help these children form healthier lifestyles and healthier habits.

As a part of health care for these children Marion County Juvenile provides birth control – typically it is the Depo-provera injections that is the birth control of choice that is given every three months.

Let’s look at this a little closer. These children are age 12 to 17 years of age. The average age is 14.5 years of age. Marion County juvenile workers estimate 95% to 100% of the girls are sexually active.

At this age, these children are just going through or just past puberty. Their bodies are growing and changing quickly. Is it healthy to be injecting a young teen body with these drugs? Does the medical staff have accurate medical histories of these young children? Will there be an adverse medical reaction to these drugs?

What is the liability to the county? Liability if child gets pregnant? Liability if the child has subsequent health problems? Is sterile? Has cancer? Is infertile?

There are some other questions here. If these children are under supervision of Marion County, when are they alone? (Look at schedule of a child in various programs) When are they going to be sexually active?

And what about what we are teaching them about life skills and life styles? Decision-making skills?

Do we lack the confidence in our programs, in our counseling, that we simply give up?

Working with these young people to make healthy choices, help them to acquire good decision making skills, and see a future full of opportunity is what we are supposed to be about.

Marion County Health Department is concerned that many, perhaps the majority of these young girls are sexually active with adult men. If this is true, why are we encouraging these children to use birth control? Why are we telling them to use birth control and go back to these unhealthy, destructive relationships? Relationships that are criminal? Why would government tell children to do something so dumb? So stupid? Something no loving parent would tell their child to do? Something no responsible adult would tell anyone to do?

The message we are sending to these children is that their lives are worth no more than animals. (read comments from health department re: respect)

Instead, we are co-enabling these young children to stay in unhealthy, detrimental, relationships – relationships that are criminal. Relationships that victimize these children. The county is responsible for putting these children in life threatening situations where they will contract diseases that lead to cancer, and emotional destruction.

This is irresponsible. This is not what caring adults do to children.