Thoughts? New Guidelines Provide Free Condoms To Middleschoolers In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS) – How young is too young?

On Tuesday board members in San Francisco voted unanimously on making condoms available to all middle school students, according to CBS San Francisco.

Under the new guidelines, students will not need parental consent. But they will need to meet with a nurse or school social worker for assessment and education before they can receive the free condoms.

According to CBS, a biannual survey found that only 5 percent of middle school students have had sexual intercourse, and 62 percent of those students used condoms.

Many people that disagree with the law feel giving adolescents free condoms will only encourage them to engage in sexual activity. However, research says otherwise.

"There is no research that supports providing condoms in schools increases sexual activity," district Director of Safety and Wellness Kevin Gogin said in a statement.

San Francisco has among the highest rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis of any city in the United States, according to Dr. Susan Philip, the health department's deputy health officer and director.

"Further, adolescents and young adults are at increased risk for chlamydia and gonorrhea infections, when compared to adults," Philip said.

The condoms will be paid for by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, which supports the program expansion, officials tell CBS.