Pubdate: Wed, 22 September 1999 Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Fresno Bee Contact: http://www.fresnobee.com/man/opinion/letters.html Website: http://www.fresnobee.com/ Forum: http://www.fresnobee.com/man/projects/webforums/opinion.html Author: Stephanie Parmely 'NOT FORCED' Regarding the Sept. 14 front-page article, "Targeting addicts with birth control": I feel this program is an unfortunate yet innovative solution to a pervasive problem. Instead of offering monetary incentives for sterilization, it would be ideal if we could treat these drug-addicted women and get them to stop taking illegal drugs while they are pregnant. It would be ideal to assure that all the women who use drugs get access to temporary birth control like condoms. It would be ideal to give all drug-abusing women prenatal support if they do find themselves pregnant to deter on-going drug use. It would certainly be ideal to target men as well as women with incentives for birth control. Finally, it would be ideal if all women and men who procreated were prepared, made a conscious choice, and took parent education classes to ensure that their children grow up with their basic needs met in addition to the love and encouragement they deserve. If we were to see parenting as a privilege and not a right, would we view this new CRACK program differently? These women are being given a choice. It is not forced. If administrators follow several important treatment recommendations CRACK is in compliance with necessary measures to ensure appropriate care. It is important to ensure that precautions are taken whereby the woman is given appropriate counseling prior to her choice. She must be treated by the same standards effective in any hospital for the procedure. She should be given appropriate after care counseling and drug treatment resources. Stephanie Parmely, Fresno - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D