In his recent letter to the La Jolla Village News, “Remembering Roe v. Wade” (Jan. 20), Steve Casey from Louisiana asserts his strong belief that a woman should not have the right to choose abortion. One of the many things that makes America great is our freedom to express our views in public forums like the press. Passions run high on both sides of this issue. Many of us remember a time when abortion was illegal — and was also the leading cause of emergency admission to obstetrics and gynecology wards at local hospitals. Women have “always” made their own decisions on whether to bear a child. Before Roe, their choice was often self-inflicted and often resulting in death. As vehemently as most Americans believe abortion should remain a safe, legal option for women facing an unintended pregnancy, there are others who feel it should not. On this anniversary of Roe v. Wade, let’s not try to change each other’s firmly held beliefs on this issue, as it is an exercise in futility. Instead, let us focus our energy on issues where we can agree. Together, we can reduce the need for abortion by solving the root problem, unintended pregnancy. The abortion rate is at its lowest rate since 1974. This is because reproductive health-care providers are able to offer a wider and more effective range of contraceptives than ever before. The rate of unintended pregnancy also decreases when there is broad access to comprehensive sexuality education. We can also agree that we should encourage young people to learn about the risks associated with sexual activity. Research consistently shows that comprehensive sex education reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy, and as a result, abortion. Age-appropriate sex education that includes both abstinence and contraception should be offered at every school. Nothing positive is accomplished when we point fingers and labels at each other. Although I disagree with Mr. Casey’s position on abortion, I respect his right to express his views. My hope is that we can find common ground and work together to reduce the need for abortion by decreasing the rate of unintended pregnancy. — Lynn Bruser lives in La Jolla.