Community Addresses High Teen Pregnancy Rate

LAS CRUCES – Residents inDona Ana County met Friday to discuss ways tocurb a troubling trend.

The county ranks number one in the state for teens between the ages of 15 and 17who become pregnant. At a special public forum, parents, teachers, andhealthofficialsdiscussed ways to reduce the pregnancy rate for that age group.

Many admitted the task is daunting. Last year, the New Mexico Department of Health created an initiative “Challenge 2010″to encourageNew Mexico counties to reduce teen pregnancies by 15 percent by 2010. Officials from the New Mexico Pregnancy Coalition said that targetis not realistic for Dona Ana County, who say any kind of reductionin the pregnancy rate would bewelcome.

Health authorities outlined a few factors they said would help stem the tide of underage pregnancies:

Parents should establish morals and ethics in their kids at an early age Parents should support teenagers’ sense of self esteem. Proper sex education should be made available for teens, so they can understand the consequences. Teens should have better access to health services and contraceptives.

“We know the formula, and frankly it’s now up to adults to put together the components of those formulas for the kids in our communities.” said Dr. Alfredo Vigil, who serves as theNew Mexico Secretary of Health.

“We’re never going to be able to erase this issue,” he said. “The question is, how much better we can make it?”

By Doug Wernet and Kevin Pytcher