The proposed Bainbridge Island High School health clinic has caused quite a passionate response by some community members.

Access to birth control and education has always been ingredients with regard to our increased STD rates and unwed birth rates.

It also brings controversy with regard to what kind of education and how much access lowering STD rates have to do with so many factors, including the culture that is getting the education.

Those who use religion as their only reason to close a clinic fail to consider their tenets of mercy and grace. Those who promote school-based clinics often fail to understand whose children they are educating.

The biggest factor in condom failures is when 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.

Our kids are the most educated generation ever about sex, drugs, and some guy called SpongeBob.

I would hope the educators do not put a wedge in their community as did the North Kitsap School District when implementing this new clinic.

This generation will be helped by those who are involved in these programs, not necessarily by the programs themselves.

Medical experts, moms, dads, family, friends and mentors are what is needed. We need all of them involved.

Mick Sheldon

Kingston