The type of program you are talking about is often called a “school-based condom availability program.” As you can imagine, these programs have been successful at encouraging teens that are already having sex to use condoms more consistently. Lots of studies have been done on these programs, and they have found that condom availability programs do not encourage teens to initiate sex earlier, or have more partners.

Despite these findings, condom availability programs for teens have been pretty controversial in the United States. Many people believe that making condoms available to teens will encourage promiscuous sex. You may find yourself needing to educate your school officials, other students, parents and even community members about condom availability programs, even though it may seem like a simple thing to get some free condoms put into the nurse’s office. But, don’t despair! Other teens have done this successfully.

There are many potential first steps, and you will know which one seems right for your school. You could talk first to the school nurse to see if he or she would be willing to put condoms in their office, or support your campaign. You could also talk to the principal, or you could talk to a supportive teacher who can help you navigate the school’s decision-making hierarchy.

When you talk to school officials, such as principals, vice-principals and school board members, be sure to provide them with the facts and scientifically proven research on school-based condom availability programs. You can find facts and research here and you can do your own research at the library. School officials will probably want to know if these programs work, and how to respond to concerned parents.

If you run into resistance, you may need to rally more people to your cause. You could start a student group to help you. In our publication the Roadmap: A Teen Guide to Changing Your School’s Sex Ed, we have outlined several strategies to change your sex education program at school. You can adapt part of the Roadmap to start a student group, to survey the opinions of other students, and to survey the opinions of parents at your school.

And finally, you may want to read some of the success stories from other teens who wanted to change sex education at their schools. You can find them by clicking here.

Remember, this may not be easy, but each step is important because you will be educating people along the way about the need for teens to be able to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy.

To help spread the word about condom use, join the second round of the Condom Campaign Contest! Make a condom postcard and enter it to win $500 or $250 here.

First Round Winner, Mo, 17