Let's banish 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude
 YES says Simon Cole, managing director of Condom Solutions LAST week has highlighted an alltoo familiar story over the whole of the UK whereby a girl of 14 fell pregnant by having unprotected sex with a boy of 13. We as an adult population have to ensure that we equip the youth of Britain with all the tools necessary to have a full and prosperous life and take advantage of all opportunities offered them. It is a shame that the school nurse who handed out the advice regarding the abortion couldn't have handed out condoms a few months before, which would have alleviated all the heart-ache. The teaching of sexual health needs to be a holistic one, centred around accessibility; mental through factual information, education and communication and physical by having easy access to high quality condoms. In society at this moment young people are bombarded every day with stories of sex and sexuality in newspapers and soap operas (just think for a minute about the storylines in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and East Enders). There is no getting away from the fact that at some stage many teenagers will contemplate having sex (we know many already are doing it) and it is at this point they must be armed to ensure they act responsibly. This is why it is imperative that contraception information and products should be made available where young people spend the most time. From the ages of 13 to 16 it happens to be school. In the USA in 2002, a study was carried out on the impact of condom distribution in schools. The study of 4,100 students in 59 high schools showed no increase in sexual activity, just an increase in condom usage for sexually active students. One thing that should be said is that where possible the ABC strategy must be supported and encouraged. A is for Abstinence before entering into a stable and loving long-term relationship; B is for Be faithful to your partner and ensure you know each other's sexual history, also Be aware of the risks involved in the activities you may want to be involved with; and finally C is for always use a condom. The distribution in schools can be done sensitively and effectively. The concept of selling them is one route, whereby the student can buy them even for a nominal fee, which adds value and increases the likelihood of use. Then a mechanism can be developed whereby my company would donate money, to support education programmes in that school based on condom sales. Another route is by giving them for free to students via a consultation process, which ensures the student gets access to information as well as condoms. With the increase in teenage pregnancy and the increase in sexually transmitted infections it is critical to arm young people with the mental and physical tools to act responsibly. The "out of sight out of mind" attitude employed by certain social quarters does not help anyone, especially the most at-risk group - the children. What do you think? Take part in our online vote and post your opinions on The Debate messageboard at www.icliverpool.co.uk/thedebate | 
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