Thaindian News

New York, April 15 (ANI): Philadelphia Health Department’s controversial new program offering free condoms for sexually active people aged 11 and older has enraged parents in the state.

Parents argue kids as young as 11 are too young to start talking about sex, reports the New York Daily News.

The new program has launched a teen-centric website, takecontrolphilly.org, with tips on safe sex, information about STDs and animated videos on how to use condoms.

While the site’s information isn’t controversial, or new, the easy availability of free condoms is the one that has caught many people’s attention.

“Playing it safe just got easier. If you live in Philadelphia and are between the ages of 11 and 19, you can now have condoms mailed directly to you for FREE,” the website posted.

“Maybe it’s difficult for you to stop by one of our sites to pick up condoms. Or maybe you’re just shy or feeling weird about picking up condoms,” the site added.

Officials, while admitting 11 may be early, pointed out that studies show kids that young are having sex.

City officials admitted they were a little uneasy about the program.

“Clearly, we don’t think it’s okay for 11-year-olds to be having sex,” City Health Commissioner Donald Schwarz told NBC Philadelphia.

“But we don’t have the infrastructure in place to fix problem fast. We can, however, make condoms available fairly quickly to whoever needs them,” he added. (ANI)