A petition to install condom vending machines in junior and senior high schools has been launched by an aboriginal youth group on P.E.I.

'Get the condoms to the kids; cut out the middleman.'— Youth group leader Pam O'Neill

Members of the group believe young people would be more likely to use condoms and avoid HIV/AIDs, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases if they could obtain condoms at school.

Youth group co-ordinator Pam O'Neill said the aboriginal group already has easy access to condoms. She set up a drawer full of them at the Native Council building in Charlottetown because she thought young people would be more likely to take them if they could do it confidentially.

"Get the condoms to the kids; cut out the middleman," O'Neill told CBC News Monday.

O'Neill used to live in Ontario, where some schools have condom vending machines in the washrooms, which was a surprise to the youth that she works with on P.E.I. They thought it was something that should be available on the Island.

"I think it's a great idea, because so many youth out there now that just go at her, pretty much," said 18-year-old group member Kayla Larkin.

"Having condoms in schools, we're not promoting them to have sex, but it's the fact that they know it's always there to help."

Gauging interest

The group has started an online petition to see if people believe condoms in schools are a good idea. If they get a lot of interest they'll lobby for change.

Eastern School District superintendent Sandy MacDonald said the issue hasn't come up before.

"They might want to take the request to the board directly," said MacDonald.

"This is the sort of issue that the trustees would like to examine and debate and talk to the public about and then finally make a decision."

So far the petition only has a few signatures, but the youth group hopes that number grows as more people find out about it.