Drug-Induced Abortions Offered In Tri-Cities

The Planned Parenthood clinic here is offering drug-induced abortions as part of a national research project, the regional director says.

Planned Parenthood clinics across the country have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to perform up to 3,000 early abortions using a combination of two drugs.

None has been performed at the Kennewick clinic, Gwen Chaplin, director of Planned Parenthood of Central Washington, said Monday.

The method is designed for ending pregnancies during the first 49 days. It involves a single injection of methotrexate - which stops cells from dividing - followed several days later by the use of vaginal suppositories containing misoprostol, which brings on uterine contractions.

To be eligible for the program in Kennewick, women must be at least 18 years old and live within 60 miles of the city.