The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new report Tuesday linking women who are alcohol users, sexually active, and not on birth control to an increased risk of disabilities in pregnancies.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says “although drinking is illegal for anyone under the age of 21, the reality is MANY adolescent girls drink.” Research from the National Institute indicates that many girls in their teens have reported drinking in the previous month.

Fewer girls in Athens are getting pregnant anyhow. Clarke County has one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates. Clarke County had almost 50% fewer teen pregnancies in 2015 than Madison, Jackson, and Barrow Counties. Oconee County had slightly fewer teen births.

We asked females in Athens their opinion on the CDC’s report.

Jessi Austin, UGA student, feels the report is flawed and doesn’t understand where the CDC is getting its information from.

“I THINK AS A PERSON – LOGICALLY – IT’S DUMB AND THERE’S A LOT OF FALLACIES IN THAT”.

Meagan Alford, another UGA student, thinks it’s the girls’ choice to be on birth control.

“IT’S ABSOLUTELY THEIR CHOICE. IF THEY GET PREGNANT THEN THEY SHOULD TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS THAT THEY THINK ARE RIGHT FOR THEM. . . IF YOU WANNA BE ON BIRTH CONTROL, THEN GO BE ON BIRTH CONTROL. IF YOU DON’T, THEN DON’T.”

 

For more information on pregnancy rates in surrounding counties click here.