When Weinberg freshman Liz Lyons was dining at Clarke’s, she picked up a postcard advertising “Hot Sex,” which has a Web site offering free condoms.
“It’s free, and I’m always broke,” she said. “Plus, condoms are a handy thing to have around.”
After filling out an informational form that asks for a name and address, the condoms arrive free of charge a few weeks later.
There are a growing number of Web sites where students can register for free condoms.
Matt Abts, a Music freshman, said he would order condoms online if they were free because “condoms are fiercely expensive.”
At Drdrew.com, anyone can receive three free condoms for registering on the site. Visitors earn another free condom for getting a friend to register. The more friends one sends the link to, the more condoms the person receives.
Safesexonthebrain.com offers a variety of brands to purchase as well as a sampler pack that comes with a 10 percent discount. Brands include Trojan, Durex, Contempo, Lifestyles, Impulse, Beyond7 and Tastees. Every order comes with a free Trustex strawberry-flavored condom.
Both Trojancondoms.com and Condoms4free.com also offer a free condom with filling out mailing information.
Some students, however, are a bit skeptical about the free condoms from these Web sites.
“It’s hard to trust if they (free condoms) are good. I’m not sure I would trust the quality,” said Laurie Jaeckel, a Weinberg freshman.
These sites also provide access to valuable information besides condoms. Drdrew.com provides links to information including birth control, pregnancy, male and female health, HIV/AIDS, STDs and relationships.
At condomzone.com one can also learn about safe sex, health, STDs and other birth control methods, and they can find instructions on how to use a condom effectively.
Students also can obtain free condoms on campus from Peer Health Educators and Health Aides. Two condoms are included in a “Condom Sense” packet that includes detailed instructions on how to use a condom correctly and effectively.
Weinberg sophomore Makenzie Brekke, a health aide at Willard Residential College, provides condoms with “no questions asked.”
“Guys have stopped by my room while walking through the dorm or while on their way to the laundry room to ask me for some condoms,” she said, noting her room is strategically placed near the laundry room.
But the health aides do not want to be used as suppliers for condoms.
“It is their responsibility to buy condoms — we can be a back up plan,” said Kelly Joyce, a Weinberg senior and Peer Health Educator.
Condoms are also given out during Peer Health Education events such as Sexual Health Awareness Week and Safe Spring Break Week at booths and at The Rock.
“I definitely think more people should use condoms,” Lyons said, “and considering how Web-crazy everyone is on this campus, advertising free condoms online is a smart marketing move.”
