JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There's a new effort to make it a lot easier for local teens to get their hands on the morning after pill. Right now, only girls over 17 can get it over-the-counter, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says it should be readily available to younger girls.
That's the last thing local parents want to hear.
"I just don't think that's a good idea," said mother Celeste Mills.
Mothers and fathers say they are not on board with the new recommendations that say teenagers should have a prescription for the pill ready and waiting for them at the pharmacy if they need it. Right now, girls under 17 can't obtain it without first getting a prescription from their doctor.
"It gives them an opt out plan - like a bail out," said dad Kiel Messersmith. "Like, oh I can just have sex and not have to worry about it so you'll probably see a rise in STD's."
Mills is horrified by the thought and fears kids won't take sex -- or its potential consequences -- seriously.
"In order for us to take responsibility for our youth and our youth to take responsibility they have to understand there are severe consequences if you do things you don't think about," she said.
Planned Parenthood of North Florida agrees with the recommendations. CEO Staci Fox says the move will help cut down on teen pregnancy.
"For teens who need access to emergency contraception via prescription, they have a short amount of time so if that prescription is already in their record and easy to access it's going to do what it's intended to do," she said.
But Messersmith says it is stripping parents of their rights and putting too big of a decision into the hands of someone too young to fully understand it.
"Kids should be kids. Not acting like adults," he said.
