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Condom Sense sinking in

It’s not often guys have a girl walk up to them in a bar brandishing condoms, but the "Get It On" safe-sex taskforce is doing just that.

It’s not often guys have a girl walk up to them in a bar brandishing condoms, but the "Get It On" safe-sex taskforce is doing just that.

In their distinct, funky black and blue T-shirts, a crack army of condom-carrying nurses and other social working types are spreading the word around Whistler’s bars and clubs, teaching tourists and locals about healthy sexuality.

Whistler Public Health nurse, Penny Gleave said sexually transmitted diseases are not going away and can’t be ignored, not even on vacation.

"Whenever you don’t use a condom you have a 100 per cent risk of catching HIV, Hep C, Hep B, and many other STDs," she said. "We really need to show people how easy it is to get these diseases and yet how easy it is to protect yourself at the same time. A condom is crucial."

The Condom Sense crew is alerting people to the S.A.F.E clinic in the village.

"S.A.F.E stands for sexual awareness for everyone, and our clinic offers information, screenings, birth control, pregnancy tests, Hep B vaccinations and anything else to do with keeping your sex life safe and happy," said Gleave.

The focus is on the 19-30 year-old age group, statistically the most susceptible.

"We see a lot of STDs in young people in Whistler, especially chlamydia, herpes and genital warts," said Gleave.

The S.A.F.E clinic is upstairs in the Whistler Health Unit, which is behind the post office on Lorimer Road. Phone 604-932-3202 for a confidential chat or drop-in times are 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

So as Marvin Gaye once said: "Let’s Get It On" and stay safe.