Alexandria, Va. – The Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP) is excited to launch “Wrap Up, Alexandria,” a new program that aims to make condoms more readily available with strategically placed condom dispensers in the city. This program is designed to help people make positive choices about their sexual health.
Research has shown, that by working together to provide easier access to internal and external condoms (i.e., female and male condoms), the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies can be reduced. Alongside the dispensers are pamphlets about proper use of the two condom types as well as resources for youth.
Dispenser locations currently include restrooms at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive) and at the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence program (123 N Pitt St., Suite 225). Community partners interested in having a dispenser at their locations may email Maggie Ryan at elizabeth.ryan@alexandriava.gov.
While teen pregnancy is at an all-time low in Alexandria, the City’s STI rate has increased among young adults and seniors. In the City of Alexandria, the incidence rates for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea have increased by 14 percent and 27.6 percent, respectively between 2018 and 2022 (Virginia Department of Health Statistics). It is vital that sexually active individuals, especially young people, have access to condoms to protect their health and to encourage lifelong healthy behaviors.
ACAP’s mission is to advocate for and elevate youth development and to prevent adolescent (ages 10-19) pregnancy by providing comprehensive sexuality education, technical assistance, connection to services, and prevention programs; raising public awareness; and supporting reproductive rights.
Visit alexandriava.gov/ACAP to learn more about ACAP’s programs and learn how to get involved. Visit alexandriava.gov/teen-pregnancy-prevention/wrap-up-alexandria for more information about “Wrap it Up, Alexandria” and the latest updates.
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For reasonable disability accommodation, contact maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or call 571.384.5244, Virginia Relay 711.
Original source can be found here.
