MORE THAN ONE thousand free condoms will be distributed on the streets of Dublin tonight as part of a campaign urging young people to ‘Just Carry one’.
National youth charity SpunOut is running the initiative with the Dublin Aids Alliance as a response to recent reports of increased numbers of STI notifications. The organisation is also “extremely worried” about research findings that one in five students have sex while drunk.
“It’s clear that risky sexual behavior is taking place, and SpunOut would like to ensure young people have the information necessary to enjoy healthy sex lives,” it said in a statement about tonight’s guerrilla campaign.
SpunOut staff and volunteers will take to the streets from 11.30pm, distributing over 1,000 condoms. The ‘Underground Protection Racket’ will target a number of city centre locations popular with young people.
Youth Engagement Officer John Buckley said that the programme is both innovative and challenging. “Sex is a natural part of our lives and part of our identity development. We know young people are having sex while drunk and we want to work with young people to ensure safe and informed decisions are being made.”
SpunOut hopes that it can encourage both men and women to carry condoms, as well as engage in other safe sex practices.
“Young people are going out for a good time, so don’t let anything ruin that,” advises 21-year-old volunteer Stacey. “Usually carrying condoms is the last thing people think about. There still seems to be a taboo around carrying condoms. Hopefully we can work to change this.”
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