Emergency contraception pill controversy

Emergency contraceptive pills have been available at high school clinics in Ottawa for years. New York City is now following suit in an effort to prevent unwanted teen pregnancy.

There's a storm brewing in New York City over access for teenagers to emergency contraception.

It’s an idea that appears to be imported from Canada.

New York City is making the morning after pill available to girls at more than 50 public high schools.

The morning after pill is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

Along with condoms, teenagers can also ask for the morning after pill at high school clinics, something teens in the city have been able to do for nearly a decade.

Barbara Campbell, a nurse practitioner with the City of Ottawa gives information on sexual health in walk-in clinics and in some high school clinics.

“They come in to see us and we do counselling,” Campbell said. “We give them the pills then if they need it right then, or to take it with them at a later date if it’s required.”

In New York City, the pill is being offered in an effort to combat teen pregnancy.

“We’re looking at how can we protect these young people from unintended pregnancy,” said Deborah Kaplan of the New York City Health Department.

The decision has caused an uproar among some who say it encourages underage sex.

Some young women say the pills should not be offered in high schools.

“I think they should be stressing the use of condoms and birth control rather than the morning after pill,” said one female student.

The morning after pill is available in pharmacies in Canada without a prescription for about $30 a dose.

In high school clinics, the pills are offered at low cost, or no cost, and there is no age requirement to obtain them.

“It’s not based on age, but ability to consent to understand risks and benefits of care they’re asking for,” Campbell said.

In Canada, it’s estimated fourty to fifty percent of all pregnancies are unintended.

With files from CTV’s Joanne Schnurr.