Nearly 600 women have bought the morning-after pill from Campus Health Services since Jan. 1.

Plan B, commonly known as the morning-after pill, is emergency contraception that can be taken within 72 hours after intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

Of 358 health centers surveyed in colleges nationwide, 52 percent said they offered the pill, according to the 1999 survey released by the Chronicle of Higher Education yesterday.

A previous survey from 1996 showed 35 percent of respondents offered the pill.

Since Jan. 1, the Campus Health pharmacy has administered 582 prescriptions to UA students, which averages out to about 18 pills distributed per week.

Although Plan B can be used in preventing unwanted pregnancies, it is not a form of regular birth control and should not be used as a substitute for condoms or regular birth control, said one campus health worker.

"It gets bad because most people use it as birth control and they don't use condoms," said Erin Harrington, a pharmacy technician. "We like women to establish a relationship with the staff and select some sort of birth control. It's just better if people are receiving regular women's healthcare."

Campus Health offers the prescription for any emergency situation, including, but not limited to, rape.

The pill prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus.

A form of the morning-after pill has been available to students for the past four years, although Plan B in particular has only been prescribed for the last two years.

Campus Health and the UA do not subsidize the pill.

Nationally, some colleges ÷ especially those in the Midwest and the South ÷ have quieted advertising for the morning-after pill, keeping it hushed to avoid controversy, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported.

"Anything new in the area of contraception is always going to raise some questions from both sides of the fence," said Campus Health nurse Alberta Hopkins. "In most clinics, medical providers being involved with emergency contraception do not have to do that part of the job if it is morally against their judgment."

Some students do not feel that offering emergency contraception is appropriate.

"I'm strongly against abortion because of my religion. Highly against it," said dance freshman Amy Gessner.

Plan B contains two pills that are to be taken 12 hours apart to eliminate pregnancy. Side effects can include nausea, although it is generally uncommon.

Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University also offer a form of the morning after pill to their students.

Campus Health wants students to be aware that the pill is available, by advertising in its waiting room, getting word out through Resident Assistants, "SexTalk" in the Arizona Daily Wildcat and educating students who come into the center.

"I like everyone to be aware that it is available," Hopkins said. "It helps to make people feel comfortable."

The prescription costs $12 and is given out with a $10 visit to Campus Health, although once a student has been in to receive the morning-after pill, she no longer needs a visit and can go in and ask for the prescription again, Hepkins said.

Campus Health also offers STD tests to students and highly recommends them in many cases when the pill is given out.

"We are always more concerned if it's an unwanted intercourse, a new partner or under the influence of alcohol when the student may not remember who she was with," Hopkins said.

Students are welcome to walk in, although they are asked to call and make an appointment in order to be seen quicker.

Hopkins said that students can make an appointment and may receive a prescription for Plan B prior to an accident so that the student already has emergency contraception.

Appointments can be made through Women's Health at Campus Health Services by calling 621-6512.