YOUNGSTERS and representatives from local organisations have been debating ways of reducing teenage pregnancy rates in the Sedgefield area.
The event, hosted by Sedgefield Primary Care Group, brought together youngsters and representatives from education, social services and the health service.
They looked at ways to provide better contraception, better support for parents, better sex and relationship education for teenagers, and how to involve young people.
In the Sedgefield area between 1994 and 1996 there were 62 conceptions in under-15 year-olds and 292 conceptions in under-18 year-olds - higher than the national average.
Dr Dinah Roy, chairman of Sedgefield Primary Care Group, said: "We want to halve the rate of conceptions among 18-year-olds by 2010.
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