The United States should follow the lead of the British government and allow over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill.

The morning-after pill, a form of emergency contraception, releases two strong doses of progestogen. It can prevent or delay ovulation, the process by which the egg is released from the ovary. If taken after ovulation, it can prevent the egg from being fertilized by the sperm or prevent the egg from implanting in the uterus.

Britain’s new policy would make the morning-after pill available without a prescription to women who are 16 and older. The morning-after pill has long been available in Britain, both privately and under the National Health Service. Under the new rules, women can buy the drug for about $30 over the counter.

In December, the American Medical Association urged the Food and Drug Administration to make the morning-after pill available over the counter in the United States. It is currently approved for prescription use.

Planned Parenthood estimated the use of the morning-after pill over the counter could prevent 1.7 million unplanned pregnancies and 800,000 abortions annually in the United States.

In the long run, the morning-after pill is the safest option women have. In Michigan, a woman has to be 18 to have an abortion without parental consent. The pill is a cheaper alternative to having an abortion.

Approving the morning-after pill for over-the-counter sale will not increase promiscuity or sexual irresponsibility. People are not going to start having sex simply because this pill is on the market - they will have sex regardless. The morning-after pill only ensures safety for women placed in compromising positions.

The same mentality that criticizes those who cannot provide for their children is the same that criticizes the accessibility of the morning-after pill. If a women decides she does not want to be pregnant and knows she will not be able to provide for the child adequately, there should be more options besides abortion.

However, the morning-after pill should not be abused as the only form of birth control. Anyone who is sexually active or thinking of becoming sexually active should use some form of birth control

Seeking out the morning-after pill every time there is a pregnancy scare is not a responsible method and only feeds into the assumption that young people don’t know how to take care of themselves or their bodies.

The morning-after pill should be available for over-the-counter use in the United States.

It would prevent thousands of unwanted pregnancies each year and give people another option besides abortion. Regulation of emergency contraception cannot regulate sexual behavior, and the government should not try to.