To the editor:

Concerning Ms. Lamontagne’s thoughts on condom distribution to South Whidbey teens: I absolutely support her right to her own beliefs, and her right to voice those beliefs in whatever way she chooses.

But it is a bit distressing to see — again — that sometimes people do not really understand the facts about adolescent sexual behavior or about Planned Parenthood, the agency that conducted the training and is supplying the product.

According to a recent study, American teens are actually remaining abstinent longer. In 2003 and 2005, 53 percent of high school students reported NEVER having sex, up from 46 percent in 1991. Most teens who are seeking protection or contraception have already become sexually active and need help to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

For over seven years, I was a Planned Parenthood educator and education supervisor in two different locations in the Puget Sound region. I gave dozens of educational sessions and spoke with hundreds of teens. In all of those sessions, I discussed pregnancy termination or abortion exactly twice.

In any session covering sexual decision- making, abstinence was ALWAYS discussed — and supported. Many teens cite peer and partner pressure as one of the main reasons they begin sexual activity. In Planned Parenthood education sessions, we give students information, and help them practice, ways to resist such pressures.

Ms. Lamontagne said, “it is the role of parents and churches to teach proper sexual practices at the appropriate time.” I would certainly agree that parents and churches can be extremely important in this process. Many of the sessions I taught, such as the parent-child communication workshops, were presented in local churches.

We ALL want our young people to be safe. Planned Parenthood provides medically- accurate and age-appropriate information and education to prevent the very tragedies which Ms. Lamontagne alluded to. If condom distribution can prevent one unplanned pregnancy or prevent one student from contracting a sexually transmitted disease, isn’t it worth it?

Jill Johnson

Clinton