High HIV Infection Rates May End Long-Time Ban on Condom Distribution in Dallas

On Sunday, the Dallas Morning News reported that the steady increase in HIV infection rates may push Dallas County to end a 13 year-old ban on condom distribution by county health workers. Dallas County had the highest HIV rate in Texas last year, and the number of chlamydia and gonorrhea cases is up, according to county statistics.

Before 1995, county health workers routinely ventured into local communities to hand out condoms and needle sterilization kits to those with the greatest risk of infection. But that year, a narrow majority of commissioners voted to end the practice, saying it encouraged illegal and immoral behavior. They also approved regulations requiring county health programs to emphasize abstinence, giving Dallas County the distinction of having the only public health agency in the state that barred condoms in education and prevention programs.

"I can't continue to join the ostrich head-in-the-sand group given the numbers," said Commissioner John Wiley Price, a Democrat who raised the issue during a recent meeting. "'Just say no' hasn't worked with too many things," said Mr. Price, who voted against the condom distribution ban in 1995.

The full article can be found here.