Proposition 73 puts the health of our teenagers at risk.

On the Nov. 8 special election ballot, voters will decide on Prop. 73, the so-called Parental Notification Initiative, requiring a 48-hour waiting period after a parent is notified before a teenager can seek an abortion. Hundreds of North County residents are working to defeat Prop. 73 because they are concerned about the impact this proposition would have on our local teenagers. They have joined a statewide coalition of medical experts, teachers, nurses, parents and counselors who all oppose this initiative.

Parents rightfully want to be involved in their teenagers' lives, and all parents want what is best for their sons and daughters, but government cannot impose good family communication. And it can't force an open dialogue between parents and teens. No law can do that.

We know that no two families are the same, but all parents care deeply about keeping their teenagers safe. That means always safe, even if they feel they can't come and tell us everything.

The best way to protect our teenagers is to make sure that strong family communication begins long before a teen faces an unplanned pregnancy.

Good communication means talking to our sons and daughters about responsible, appropriate sexual behavior from the time they are young and fostering an atmosphere that assures them they can come to us.

We all treasure our families and we want our children to talk to us about whatever problems they are having. But sadly, some teens don't live in safe, supportive homes.

The family might be having serious emotional problems, a parent might be abusive, or worse. And even teenagers who have strong relationships with their parents might be afraid to talk to them about something as sensitive as pregnancy.

This constitutional amendment would put vulnerable teenagers —— those who need the most protection —— in harm's way, or it would force them to go to court. Proponents of the measure hold up this "judicial bypass" process, where a judge may waive the law requiring parental notification, as a feasible alternative for pregnant teens.

But think about it. What about the teenage girl who is pregnant and terrified and whose family may be threatening, abusive or worse? How is she going to navigate a complicated legal process, miss school, get herself to court, march up to a judge in a crowded courthouse and explain the most intimate details of her life?

Will she be seen in the Vista Courthouse or will she have to travel to downtown San Diego? And she will do all of this with the possibility that the judge may deny her request and force her to tell her parents anyway? This teen doesn't need a judge; she needs a counselor.

Mandatory notification laws make scared, pregnant teens who can't go to their parents do dangerous things instead of going to the doctor to get the safe medical help they need. In other states, when parental notification laws make teenagers choose between talking with parents or having illegal or unsafe abortions, some teens choose the illegal alternative —— even though it is dangerous.

And if in desperation teenagers turn to illegal, self-induced or back-alley abortions, many will suffer serious injuries and some will die. Prop. 73 represents a serious health risk to our daughters. The real answer to teen pregnancy is prevention, education and strong, caring families —— not new laws that endanger our daughters.

No matter how well we know our daughters, and no matter how much we believe they will seek our help, we must ensure that they will be safe. The California Nurses Association, California Academy of Family Physicians, the League of Women Voters, as well as the California Medical Association all oppose Prop. 73.

Talking to our daughters when they are young and fostering a place where they can freely communicate is the best solution. But if, for whatever reason, our daughters cannot or will not come to us, we must make sure they can get safe, professional medical attention and quality counseling from caring doctors and nurses.

As parents, we would all want to know when our daughters face a decision like this so we can be helpful and supportive. But in the end, the safety of our daughters, and all teenage girls in California, is our primary responsibility.

Please join the Campaign for Teen Safety, doctors, nurses and countless North County parents in voting "No" on Prop. 73.

Mark Salo is chief executive of Planned Parenthood of San Diego & Riverside Counties.