Pubdate: Thu, 18 Mar 2010
Source: Maui Weekly (HI)
Copyright: 2010, Maui Weekly
Contact:  http://www.mauiweekly.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2345

ADDICTS PAID TO STOP HAVING CHILDREN

A controversial organization pushing birth control
for Hawai'i's homeless and drug addicts hit the streets of O'ahu last
week and they are offering hundreds of dollars in cold hard cash. The
group, called Project Prevention, aims to reduce the number of
substance exposed births to zero by giving addicts $300 if they
promise to be sterilized.

"A lot of people say well, you know if you give these addicts $300,
they're gonna spend it on drugs and they might do that, but that's
their choice, the babies don't have a choice," Project Prevention
founder Barbara Harris said.

Harris said they have paid more than 3,000 clients, including almost
30 men. It has sparked some controversy about constitutional rights
and racism, but Harris said they target behavior, not race.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake