04/19/2012
Dear SHAPE Fans,
We are writing to you because there was an article about Project SHAPE and defective condoms on the cover of the “Albany Student Press”, issue 22, dated April 17, 2012. Specifically the article stated that a student residing on Empire Commons took condoms from the Commons office and found that some were defective; specifically that the packaging was frayed on the edges and open. We want to assure you that the condoms that Project SHAPE gives out at our programs and exhibits are absolutely safe. We handle them with care insuring that they are not exposed to heat or cold, and are stored at appropriate temperatures. If they come in strips, we tear them carefully discarding any that accidentally get torn. We purchase our condoms from reputable companies. We in fact do not supply condoms to the residence areas as stated in this article; Residential Life often receives the condoms they distribute from the AIDS Council of Northeastern NY, another very reputable source.
It is important to note that some brands of condoms, such as “Beyond Seven” condoms that come in an orange and navy blue package, have packaging is not completely sealed across the entire edge as we are used to seeing in most brands of condoms. This causes the edges to lift and appeared frayed when they are in fact sealed. Now any individual condom can be damaged if exposed to heat, as when stored in a wallet in a back pocket. This is a condom that should not be used. Heat will cause the latex to weaken and be more likely to break. If a condom packaging should become broken and unsealed and therefore exposed to air, it will dry out and also be unsafe to use. Condoms also must be used by their expiration date. We recommend that any time you have a condom you squeeze the package a bit between your thumb and forefinger to see if you feel air inside. If you don’t, that means there may be an opening somewhere. Similarly, if the condom was a lubricated one and feels dry, it should not be used. And always check the expiration date even when purchasing in stores to be sure the condoms are still good as that is a common reason condoms break with use.
We are a student group who works hard on educating students on the importance of sexual health and would do nothing to compromise that. We want you to know that you can trust our condoms and in fact most condoms are safe. But you will want to follow these tips for insuring the safety for your own sexual health and that of your partners. Thank you again for being our fans! If you have any questions at all please contact Project SHAPE’s Director, Carol Stenger, who is a credentialed sexuality professional at the Counseling Center at [email protected] or 442-5800.
Sincerely,
Project SHAPE: Sexual Health and Peer Education
Yochabel Ubiera - President
Alexica Perez - Vice President
Mandy Farsace - Treasurer
Phyllicia Hibbert - Secretary/Public Relations
