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Thursday, December 7, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Norplant draws criticism
50,000 women sue company that created capsule-sized implants
By Joann Birk
Kansan staff writer
When a new contraceptive called Norplant reached the U.S. market in 1991, many women were excited about the new birth control option. But four years and 1 million users later, it seems that Norplant is not the ideal contraception for college-age women.
Norplant, a set of six matchstick-size capsules implanted in the upper arm, originally was hailed for convenience. The contraception lasted for five years and eliminated the need for more constant attention to birth control.
But Henry Buck, gynecologist at Watkins Memorial Health Center, warned that Norplant was not always as perfect as it sounded —
"It has been pushed a great deal, and it is the answer for some women but not all," Buck said.
especially for younger women.
Buck said women who had tried Norplant often experienced problems such as irregular bleeding. He said he had not heard women complain of weight gain but that Norplant listed it as a possible side effect.
The side effects of Norplant may go beyond irregular bleeding. Newsweek reported last week that 50,000 women were suing Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, the company that introduced Norplant. Buck said the reported lawsuits should not have made Norplant users panic. Recent studies from the World Health Organization and Columbia University's School of Public Health found that nine in 10 Norplant users were satisfied.
Students who still want to try Norplant may be discouraged by the initial cost. The implants are offered at Watkins for $525, which averages about $9 a month if they
are kept in for the full five-year period.
Because many women are bothered with side effects, doctors are removing some implants before the end of the term.
"I've probably taken more out than I've put in," Buck said. "If you have it in for three months and then have to have it taken out, then it is very expensive."
Watkins charges $125 to remove Norplant that has been put in by doctors outside of Watkins.
Buck said he would not refuse to give a college student Norplant but that he rarely recommended it to his patients.
Charles Yockey, chief of staff at Watkins, said Norplant, was a convenient form of birth control for some women but that it probably should be avoided by most young women.
it is hard for people 20 to 24 years old to make that long-term a decision," he said. "Very few 22-year-old people know what they will be doing at 27."
Tie a red ribbon, MADD and police urge
Kansan staff report
bon — Tie one on for Safety."
Local law enforcement agencies and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are asking people to tie one on for traffic safety.
Red ribbons are being distributed at area law enforcement agencies for people to tie on their car antennas as a reminder not to drink and drive. The program is called "Project Red Rib-
"The whole point is for people to look at the ribbon," said Gayle Reese of the KU police department. "When they see it, it makes them think."
Approximately 42 percent of all traffic fatalities last year in the United States between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day were alcohol-related, according to
Mothers Against Drunk Driving. In Kansas, 8 of 24 traffic fatalities in that same time were alcohol-related.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving implemented the program 10 years ago in an attempt to curb those numbers, Reese said.
"Basically, it's a visual thing to get people's attention," Reese said.
Man arraigned on impersonation charge
Kansan staff report
A 33-year-old KU student who police say impersonated an agent of the Douglas County Drug Enforcement Task Force was arraigned in Douglas County District Court yesterday.
Kelly N. Labelle was charged with impersonating
an officer, a misdemeanor charge. He was arrested on the charge Nov. 17.
According to police, Labelle represented himself as an agent in the Wagon Wheel Cafe, 507 W.14th St.
Employees of the bar told police he showed them a badge and a gun, police said.
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