WA considers 'condom trees'
February 07, 2006
COUNCILLORS in Broome in Western Australia are considering using Valentine's Day to introduce "condom trees" across the town, to combat rising rates of sexually transmitted disease.
The trees - which are in fact PVC pipes filled with free condoms and placed in trees at popular gathering places for the town's young people - are the idea of the Kimberley Public Health Unit (KPHU) and Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Services (BRAMS).
And the council is now being urged to take up the plan, to help combat the spread of sexually transmitted infections in the Kimberley which is the highest per head of population in Australia.
If agreed the council would install six condom trees at five locations within the Broome townsite, mirroring existing schemes in Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Kununurra and Halls Creek.
The scheme would be launched on Valentines' Day - designated as National Condom Day - and if successful would then be introduced to the communities at One Arm Point, Beagle Bay, Djarindjin and Bidyadanga.
Broome Shire president Graeme Campbell said although he expected some local resistance, the idea was an important one.
"When you look at the fact that the population of the Kimberley is two per cent of WA's population, yet 48 per cent of the state's sexually transmitted infection occurs in the Kimberley, then that is appalling," Mr Campbell said.
Councillors will discuss the issue at Thursday's ordinary council meeting, and are urged by a report to support the stance.
"The Condom Tree is seen as an easy and affordable way to increase the availability of this important protective device in the fight against STIs/HIV," the report said.
"Condoms are available, at no cost to the consumer, twenty four hours a day and seven days a week by this discreet method."
Further sites for the condom trees could be identified later, the report said.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18068180%255E1702,00.htmlLMAO@kids in WA growing up believing condoms grow on trees lol
