Officials in Montgomery County say condoms should be available for free to all high school students. The county has recently seen a dramatic increase in sexually transmitted infections among youth age 15 to 19. But some parents say they would prefer for conversations about safe sex to happen at home. News4’s Chris Gordon reports.
Maryland's largest school system will offer condoms at all its high schools to fight a double-digit surge in chlamydia and gonorrhea in the county.
The Montgomery County school board voted unanimously Tuesday to expand the pilot program to all 26 high schools. The district began the school year by offering the free condoms at four high schools.
Montgomery County's sexually transmitted infection cases have reached a 10-year high, which county officials describe as a public health crisis.
School board members have asked district staff to form an agreement with the county's health department by Oct. 1. The health department staffs school health rooms and clinics.
Board member Rebecca Smokdrowski says students will have to ask for the condoms. District officials have reported relatively little community pushback.
