WASHINGTON, July 19, 2004 – LAWFUEL – The American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) and the Society for Adolescent Medicine (SAM) released a joint policy
statement today opposing the death penalty for juvenile offenders, which is
under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Roper v. Simmons.
“We should never, ever kill teenagers,” said AAP President Carden
Johnston, M.D. “Regardless of the crime, rehabilitation and treatment should
always be the course of action for young people at the state, federal and
international level.”
According to the joint statement, the vast majority of adolescents in the
juvenile and criminal justice systems suffer from serious psychological and
physical health problems. They are also more likely to have been victims of
child abuse or neglect and to have experienced school failure or learning
disabilities.
“We view the execution of juvenile offenders as the most fundamental
failure of society,” said SAM President Andrea Marks, M.D. “It is our
responsibility to give every adolescent the support they need to grow up to
lead healthy, responsible, and productive lives.”
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the Roper v. Simmons case
during its next session scheduled to begin in October.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary
care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical
specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants,
children, adolescents and young adults.
SAM is a multidisciplinary organization of 1400 health professionals
committed to improving the physical and psychological health and well being of
all adolescents.
SOURCE American Academy of Pediatrics
Web Site: http://www.aap.org
