The Director of the Island's leading family planning organisation has "gently'' reminded a Senator of its 33-year history of helping teen mothers.

Teen Services' Michelle Wade-Johnson on Friday mailed current teen pregnancy prevention literature and a contact number to Sen. Patrice Parris after reading her comments calling for an "abstain from sex'' drive.

Last Monday Sen. Parris expressed horror that girls as young as 12 were having illegal relationships with men in their 20s and "a 15 minute talk or half hour lecture'' on teenage sex won't work''.

Sen. Parris called for an abstinence campaign because other methods, like condom or birth control pill distribution will not be effective.

In a letter sent to Sen. Parris and copied to The Royal Gazette Mrs.

Wade-Johnson reminded the community that Teen Services' Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign is designed to increase public awareness about the problem and thereby get it to commit to solving it.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome launched the campaign in May of 1999, with each May designated Teen Pregnancy Month, but Mrs. Wade-Johnson wrote it was a yearlong fight.

When contacted on Friday, Mrs. Wade-Johnson characterised the letter as "just a gentle reminder that we have been working very hard to keep our programmes alive''.

She added: "I read the article on Tuesday and I just wanted to inform her that we have a wonderful but understaffed department over here that is actively involved in the problem.'' Mrs. Wade-Johnson explained that in addition to the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign, Teen Services operates a continuation school, Teen Haven for pregnant teens, and conduct counselling. This year Teen Services has taken on 115 new cases.

In the letter, Mrs. Wade-Johnson explained: "The purpose of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign in Bermuda is to increase public awareness of teen pregnancy so that the community will commit to prevention.

"The Campaign's objective is also to encourage the community to advocate and support programmes and strategies that prevent teenage pregnancy and decrease the problems associated with it.

"The Campaign is guided by a committee of professional and teen volunteers who are committed to the cause,'' she added.

The theme for this year is "Do I have what it takes to raise a child -- it takes more than money to raise a child, it takes.. .'' Mrs. Wade-Johnson explained: "Teen Services has been in existence for approximately 33 years, providing helping services for male and female teens and their families.

"We also provide prevention outreach services on an at-risk sexual behaviours. Highlighting the importance of abstinence is our main platform.

The goal of this Service is to reduce and change at-risk behaviours to healthier ones.''