New contraception law makes it easier for women to poison themselves, others

California women and teens can now get contraceptives without doctor.

A new law has gone into effect in California allowing women to purchase birth control over the counter, without the advice of a doctor. Pro-life groups are blasting the law which sends the wrong message to teens and women, encouraging promiscuity.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Women in California can now get birth control over the counter without a doctor's prescription. The change in policy is being welcomed by anti-life advocates who believe that contraceptives, abortifacients, and abortions should be made freely available on demand.

However, pro-life advocates are opposed to the ease of access with which women can now obtain these drugs, without the need to consult with a physician. The law does require women to complete a questionnaire and speak to a pharmacist, but this is not the same as a primary care physician or specialist.

While Catholics can enumerate problems with contraceptives, abortifactients, and abortion, from a moral perspective they may not all realize there are serious concerns about these drugs and how they interact with a woman's body and the environment.

Contraceptives can lead to blood clots, difficulty breathing, pain and swelling, and weight gain, as well as many other less common side effects. The chemical compounds that make these drugs also find their way into municipal water supplies. The chemicals are not usually filtered out, so they end up in the bodies of other women, as well as men and children.

This expansion of the ready availability of these drugs, without the advice of a regular physician, will greatly exacerbate these problems. 

Of additional concern, is the fact that teenagers will be able to obtain these drugs without their parent's consent. This could encourage sexual promiscuity among teenagers, which can result in disease transmission. Contraceptives can also be used to conceal sexual abuse. Pimps and others can force women to obtain these drugs to conceal their exploitation.

Oregon is the only other state to allow women to obtain pill-form contraceptives.