School Backs Free Condoms for Kids 12 and Up

In a 5-1 preliminary vote, a school committee for a Massachusetts town has approved providing free condoms to students ages 12 and older. The service, which requires a second vote for final approval, would provide the condoms through Springfield school nurses and clinics. Those given the contraceptives would receive counseling in abstinence and how to use the condoms safely. Parents would be allowed to opt out of the service for their children, the Republican reports. "We can’t stick our heads in the sand any more," said the committee's vice-chair. (More school stories.)