To the editor:

In reply to Mr. Martel’s letter concerning condoms: First, I congratulate Mr. Martel on making the valid point that our youth deserve the truth. Unfortunately, Mr. Martel himself has failed to understand that truth.

Mr. Martel holds that condoms are ineffective, referring to a NIH/CDC/ USDHSS-sponsored report that acknowledges the effectiveness of condom use in the prevention of gonorrhea (in men) and HIV, but finds “no clinical evidence” supporting condom use as effective in the prevention of chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, chancroid, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea (in women).

Mr. Martel’s error comes in interpreting “no clinical evidence” to mean “no effectiveness.” “No clinical evidence” does not mean that condoms have been proven ineffective. It simply means that no laboratory tests have yet been developed to validly and ethically test the condom’s efficiency.

Mr. Martel may teach his own children that condoms are worthless. But for the rest of our community’s youth, here is the truth. Condoms are not 100 percent effective. However, a latex condom, when used correctly and consistently, will help to prevent the transmission of HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea. It will NOT prevent genital warts, syphilis, chancroid or herpes, as these illnesses can cause sores to develop in areas that are not necessarily covered by the condom.

Here’s the bottom line: Any form of protection, even if not 100 percent effective, is better than no protection at all. Telling your kids not to have sex because condoms are ineffective will not change the behavior of most sexually active teens. They will keep on having sex; they just won’t waste their money on condoms.

The key here is education. Let’s teach our kids the whole truth about sexually transmitted infections and prevention/contraception. More importantly, let’s give them the support they need as they struggle with tough life decisions. But whatever those decisions may be, let’s give them the information that they need to keep themselves as safe as possible.

Let’s give them the truth.

Cathy Anderson,

Lawrence