Youth Council backs condom handouts

Press, 1 December 1989, Page 7

Youth Council backs condom handouts

By

DEBORAH McPHERSON

Plans by the A.I.D.S. Foundation to give out free condoms to young people in Christchurch today have the support of the ; National Youth Council, even though legislation bans the supply of contraceptives to people under 16.

Volunteers helping the World A.I.D.S. Day education campaign will give out up to 1800 condoms to young people passing through Cathedral Square.

The condoms would be distributed as part of the safe sex packs in the foundation’s cam-

paign. The volunteers will be from the gay and lesbian youth group, Crosses and Arrows, which is funded by Lottery Youth. The National Youth Council is also suggesting people “give a condom for Christmas’* as part of its safe sex promotion. A spokesman for the council, Mr James Nihoniho, said the council would support the Foundation’s efforts in Christchurch.

He said he was sure giving out condoms was not the “be-all and end-air in helping change attitudes towards safe sex, but a lot

of young people were denied adequate information. Mr Nihoniho said the increasing number of younger people being infected by H.I.V. positive or with A.I.D.S. highlighted the importance of promoting safe sex. He said he was sure the volunteers handing out condoms would act responsibly. A youth worker with young gays and lesbians, Mr Paddy McCabe, said the volunteers were aware of the potential for breaching the law and the offence some people might take to their presence.

The World’s AJ.D.S. Day campaign was aimed at young people, but was about advocating choice, he said. “It’s about disease prevention, not contraception.” The literature in the safe sex pack would also contain information that only abstinence could prevent pregnancies or sexually transmitted disease, a stance promoted by the Catholic bishops of New Zealand. The head of community health for the Canterbury Area Health Board, Dr Mel Brieseman, said

he agreed with the spirit of the education campaign the foundation was attempting, but was uncertain it was the best way to go about it.

While there was a possibility of a reduction in A.I.D.S. by using condoms, there was no guarantee giving them out would mean people would use them.

While legislation might be an obstacle to receiving education about safe sex, distributing condoms would not necessarily change sexual behaviour, said Dr Brieseman.