Oregon town says no to fluoridated water

ASHLAND, Ore. – The Ashland City Council wants to underline its message to the Oregon Legislature: Don’t tell us what to put in our drinking water.

So it passed an ordinance this week making it illegal to put fluoride, or anything else that would act as medication, in the city’s water supply.

Although the American Dental Association and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorse fluoridation, council members said they considered a divided community and issues of control.

Ashland resident Amy Cuddy said fluoride in drinking water is a safe way to prevent tooth decay, but the issue it raises is more about economics than health.

“Poor dental health is the most prevalent health problem among local youth,” Cuddy said. “The wealthy people in our community are perfectly able to buy fluoride,” Cuddy said. “The poor can’t.”

Michael Framson, of Medford, who said he is a member of Oregon Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, praised the ordinance and said the use of fluoride could have serious long-term health effects.