Recently a story about the Bainbridge Island High School Clinic exposed quite the controversy. Access to birth control and education have always been ingredients in regard to combating our increased sexually transmitted diseases and unwed birth rates. It also brings disagreement with regard to what kind of education (students should have) and how much (information they should have) access (to). Lowering STD rates have to do with so many factors. Those who use religion as their only reason to close a clinic fail to consider their tenets of mercy and grace.

The biggest factor in condom failures is when (they are) used with alcohol and drugs. We all know that unless the community is involved, education on drug and alcohol use has not worked well in public education.

Perhaps what is needed for any reasonable success to take place regardless of methodology is when we all step up together. Our kids are the most educated generation ever about sex, drugs, and some guy called SpongeBob. I would hope the (Bainbridge) educators do not put a wedge in their community as did the North Kitsap School District when implementing this new clinic. In this case despite the clinic, medical experts, moms, dads, family, friends and mentors are what is needed. We need all of them involved.

Mick Sheldon

Kingston