Start education and outreach on Emergency Contraception (EC) now because...
March 21st is
Back Up Your Birth Control Day!

EC and Condoms:
Don't Leave for Spring Break Without Them!

Preparing for Spring Break...

Whether you’re traveling or staying at home, Spring Break is supposed to be fun! Make sure that you have condoms and EC on hand before you need them. Traveling can also present opportunities that can increase one’s risk for sexual assault and other types of victimization. Make yourself aware of the following tips, and you can increase your likelihood for fun in the sun or wherever you may be venturing:

1. Excessive drinking may increase one’s vulnerability, especially in unfamiliar areas. Alcohol is the number one “date rape drug” and is used often in college sexual assaults because of its effectiveness and social acceptability.
2. Other types of drug-facilitated sexual assaults or robberies take place with GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine. These drugs are odorless, tasteless, colorless, and can incapacitate someone in anywhere from 15-30 minutes. In addition, mixed with alcohol, these drugs can be lethal. By knowing where your drink is at all times and by being the only one who handles it, you can lower your risk of being drugged.
3. Use the “buddy system.” Safety is enhanced when two people are responsible for only each other and know of each other's limits. Also know that someone’s limits may change and should be respected if that person is sober enough to make a conscious decision.
4. Have your hotel address available and accessible to you at all times, in case you need to catch a taxi back at night.

Have this information in mind in order to have a safer Spring Break! Also keep in mind that resources are available for you at a local and national level if you encounter any inappropriate situations or contact while you are traveling.

Actions for Back Up Your Birth Control Day...

• Visit your Health Center Staff or Local Drug Store
  
  Approximately 54% of College Health Centers do not provide EC or prescriptions for EC. In addition, many people who know about EC are unsure how or where to access it. Inform local health care providers in the area of your plans for Back Up Your Birth Control Day and that you are encouraging students to get advance prescriptions of EC before they go on Spring Break. Partner with your Campus Health Center or an affiliated Health Center student group, such as a Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) to ensure that women on your campus know what EC is and where and how they can access it. Plan to visit local drug stores’ pharmacies and drop off “pharmacist information cards” from your BUYBC kit to publicize the importance of EC. Encourage students to patronize pharmacies that have ‘friendly’ EC policies.
• Combat Anti-Contraception Legislation in Your State!
  
  Find out if anti-contraception legislation has been introduced in your state legislature this session. Look for bills that allow physician and pharmacy refusal, require parental consent/notification for minors to obtain birth control and emergency contraception, and impose domestic gag rules on state funded providers. Find out what
  states have pending legislation and then get to work!
  
  If there is no specific anti-contraception legislation, you can work on repealing conscience clauses in your state. For instance, last April the Governor of Illinois signed into law a rule requiring any pharmacy selling FDA approved contraceptives, including emergency contraception, to fill all prescriptions. In the event that the pharmacy does not have a particular contraceptive in stock, the pharmacy must offer another contraceptive or transfer the prescription to another pharmacy. Find out what your state’s stance is and make your opinion heard! Your Campus Organizer can assist you in developing petitions and palm cards that raise pro-choice support of contraception! You can contact your campus organizer at 1.866.444. FMLA (East Coast) or 1.866.471.FMLA (West Coast)
• Download Top 5 Actions for Back Up Your Birth Control Day for more action ideas!