Group Promotes DIY Abortions in Arkansas
Despite Roe v. Wade being overturned and Arkansas law prohibiting doctors from performing abortions except to save the life of the mother, the Arkansas Abortion Support Network’s website offers information on “self-managed” (i.e. do-it-yourself) abortions via abortion-inducing drugs.
Self Managed Abortion (SMA) is an important component of the abortion access landscape. For those who prefer to manage their healthcare outside of the traditional clinic setting, or who are unable to access clinical abortion, there are options and information about managing your own abortion with pills at home.
The website goes on to list different ways to learn more about obtaining abortion-inducing drugs online.
In recent months, outlets like Plan C and groups like ReproAction have ramped up their efforts to tell women how to buy and use abortion-inducing drugs. However, it is important to point out that is illegal to mail or deliver abortion drugs in Arkansas.
In 2021 the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 562 Rep. Sonia Barker (R – Smackover) and Sen. Blake Johnson (R – Corning).
This good law made important updates Arkansas’ restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs like RU-486.
Among other things, Act 562 prohibits abortion drugs from being delivered “via courier, delivery, or mail service” in Arkansas.
Abortion-inducing drugs take the life of an unborn child. They also carry significant health risks for women — including risk of sepsis and death.
That is part of the reason why — prior to the Dobbs ruling last summer — Arkansas law required them to be administered by a physician following a physical examination.
Delivering abortion drugs by mail violates state law, and it puts women and unborn children at risk. There simply is no good reason to promote DIY abortions in Arkansas.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
