Middle school contraceptive program sets off firestorm
The Portland School Committee's decision to make prescription birth control available at King Middle School lit a firestorm of controversy that raged across Maine and the nation Thursday.
Several national television news and opinion shows hosted heated debates on the subject and challenged Portland school officials in on-camera interviews.
Here in Maine, parents discussed the topic over breakfast and co-workers hashed it out around the water cooler, raising a host of questions about an emotional issue.
"It's frightening," said Susie Reder, a Raymond resident who had such a conversation at work. "I have a daughter who's 12. They're still kids at that age."...