Washington DC and New York City, NY are the only 2 cities in the United States that allow condom distribution directly to students within the public education system. A May 2010 Washington Post blog story on DC's condom practices stated that the primary complaints from students regarding the condom distribution program was that state sponsored condoms were either "not large enough" or that getting them from grannies and older individuals was problematic.
On one hand we are faced with the fact that young people are having sex and teen pregnancy and diseases continue to proliferate. On the other hand we know the harmful effects of premarital sexual activity as well as the negative results and psychological effects of sexual experimentation.
It begins for many with disease and the resultant fallout from disease. In DC it is estimated that out of 600,000 residents 3% or 18,000 have HIV or AIDS. I have spoken on the real costs associated with HIV/AIDS in particular in my post "HIV/AIDS & Health Care Reform, What Do We Really Know?"
Here are some further facts:
- In Washington DC 57% of students are sexually active and not taking advantage of school condoms
- DC Health Dept. distributed 3.2 million condoms in 2009 including 15,000 to students in schools
- For 2010 about 2.5 million condoms distributed to the general public so far (pace of 4 million by year end) We can expect school distribution to follow suit accordingly.
- 2009 city cost for condom distribution: $165,000
- Estimated 2010 cost: $228,000 to $276,000 (depending on brand and size).
- In 2010 teachers will be able to distribute condoms directly to students however a teacher must complete ongoing education and a "WrapMC" or Master Of Condoms certification.
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