Dec

20

Critics not so happy about NYC’s free condom distribution

[From AM New York]

NEW YORK (AP) _ The number of free condoms distributed by a city agency is soaring, but some critics worry that the online system for ordering them could be a target for scams.

Each month, 1.5 million condoms are distributed via the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Web site, www.nyccondom.org. Eighteen months ago, before the city launched the site, only 250,000 condoms were given away each month.

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. said the city has a hard enough time collecting for water bills, let alone ensuring that the free condom distribution is safe from fraud. “There’s a finite amount of resources the city has. It’s bad enough that we’re spending them on giving out free condoms,” he told The New York Sun.

The city pays about $720,000 annually for the free condoms, which they get from condom manufacturer LifeStyles for a reduced price of four cents each.

City health officials said in the past 18 months they have received no complaints about fraud, and the city has conducted no fraud investigations in connection with the online condom distribution.

Sara Gillen, the deputy director of prevention for Harlem United Community AIDS Center, said the free condoms are critical to the organization. She said the nonprofit would otherwise have to pay as much as $10,000 a year to purchase condoms.

“The city is pushing to get as many condoms out on the street, in wallets, and in pockets as it can,” Gillen said.

AIDS is the third-leading cause of death for New Yorkers under 65, according to city health officials.

On the Net:

PNAS: http://www.nyccondom.org

Information from: The New York Sun, http://www.nysun.com

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