A group of eager teens are currently working towards developing a campaign on sex awareness, not that they aren’t aware of sex, but what they are also aware of is the potential outcomes that can transpire from indiscriminate, unsafe sexual practices.
Their first task has been to request from Council putting in a condom vending machine in the toilets in Alice Street.
With a sudden spike in teen pregnancy and the need for protection from the spreading of STDs the an after hours outlet for this type of product is a necessity.
Much discussion has been created from where the machining would go, and thought the guys (and girls) were concerned that there would be some community backlash from having such a product in such a public place they have rationalised that Alice Street men’s toilets are still the best place.
The local hotels were discarded because under 18’s shouldn’t be in the pubs on their own and since condom machines were predominately placed in men’s toilets this would decrease the possibility of girls obtaining them. Whereas if they were in the men’s toilets in the main street, they could “accidently” go to the men’s in Alice Street and purchase what they want and it wouldn’t look so ‘weird’.
Though purchasing condoms is possible at the local shops, the chemist and the service stations these places were closed by 8:30 at night – when the night was just starting for most of the teens in town. Added to this, who wants to buy such a product from a shopkeeper who knows everyone – especially mum or dad and might blab?!
The request to Council has been approved in principle, however funds will needed to be raise the money to purchase the machine and the products. This group of teens are currently working on a poster campaign to be displayed in hotels and in the main street. Donation tins will be available in hotels and other key areas of the town or can be dropped in to the MARSS office – 47 Cambridge St. Mitchell.
The Mitchell teens should be commended for approaching a hard topic as one of their first projects.
If any youth in our community has a project that they would like to peruse let us know and we can help you achieve your goal.
