ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque adult store Self Serve has concluded a monthlong drive during which it collected emergency contraception pills to distribute free of charge.
The store, which focuses on community health and education, has provided low-cost and free community-funded emergency contraception since January. In August, demand for emergency contraception surpassed available donations.
“This sparked a monthlong donation drive in September in which customers received a 20%-off coupon for every emergency contraception pill donation,” a rep said. “With the support of community members, Self Serve collected 120 emergency contraception pills in September, ensuring that this essential resource remains available to those who need it.”
Store Manager Stevie Wilke expressed satisfaction with the community's response.
“It's frustrating how inaccessible this pill has been since its inception,” Wilke said. “The community members who need it the most usually face the most barriers to access it. I'm so proud to work at Self Serve and be a part of a community that is trying to help each other when in need. Our goal is to flip the script around emergency contraception. Because Plan B has been so gatekept, many people don’t realize it has a shelf life just like any other over-the-counter pills in your medicine cabinet. You don’t have to wait until it’s an emergency to get it; you can have it on hand so when an emergency occurs you are already prepared.”
Owner Matie Fricker added, "Self Serve is an intentionally created space for all community members to access support around their sexual health needs without judgment, shame or stigma. Thanks to the generous donations from our community, anyone of any age can receive a donated pill or purchase them for only $14.98. For many, this is their first experience of receiving community care, and they tear up when we let them know a stranger cared about them enough to make a hard day a little bit easier to manage."
Following the conclusion of the September drive, community members can continue to support the program by purchasing emergency contraception pills at Self Serve or online. Those in need of free emergency contraception can visit Self Serve in Albuquerque or order pills online.
