Safer Sex Patrol hands out condoms, abstinence kits at tailgate Wednesday

The Safer Sex Patrol infiltrated Wednesday’s tailgate outside Kelly/Shorts Stadium with a fistful of condoms and lollipops.

Its mission? To spread awareness about sexually transmitted diseases, safer sex and abstinence.

Within 10 minutes, their ammunition was spent and much of the tailgating crowd was enthusiastically “protected.”

“We went to The Cabin one time and, when we left, they were blowing them up like balloons,” said Flint senior and Safe Sex Patrol participant Clay Newell.

Clay said he handed out several hundred condoms over this semester, his first with the patrol.

The group operates out of the Volunteer Center and sends patrols of about 50 students to residence halls, bars and tailgates throughout the year.

SSP gives out at least 3,000 condoms a year to CMU students.

But the “safer sex kits” and “abstinence kits” are not just condoms and candy.

The condoms are wrapped in an informational slip that covers STD facts and safer sex procedures, and the lollipops have streamers that say abstinence is the only 100 percent effective form of STD prevention.

“It initiates a positive discussion about safer sex that people can be relaxed and have fun with,” said Royal Oak graduate student and SSP adviser Caitlin Cavanaugh. “Everyone is typically really open to a free condom.”

The group receives donations of condoms and money to purchase them from several benefactors, including University Health Services, the Mid-Michigan District Health Department and Program Board.

The students who participate in the program get to experience popular events, spread awareness and get credit for volunteer hours.

Troy senior Amanda Rink attended the tailgate and was glad to see the SSP out and about where alcohol is common and good judgment can be impaired.

“I think that it’s a really good idea, especially at tailgate,” Rink said.