Vol. 531 No. 4
94 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the progress to date of the Think Twice Every Time campaign regarding relationships and sexuality; and the total budget for the campaign. [5961/01]
The "Think Twice Every Time" campaign which I launched last November is targeted at men and women in the 18 to 35 year-old age group. The aim of the campaign is to help to educate, inform and empower people about their relationships and their sexuality. The principal message of the campaign is that both partners are responsible for their own and each other's sexual health. In particular, both partners must take responsibility for preventing unwanted pregnancy and avoiding sexually transmitted infection. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about a range of issues including the fertility of the body, how pregnancy occurs, the safe and correct use of contraception, the prevention of sexually transmitted infection and the effect of alcohol in relation to decision making and risk taking.
In 2001 the campaign will involve a number of focused initiatives, including, regional workshops, a media poster campaign and a national seminar. Plans are also well advanced in the production of a website and a public information booklet. The campaign, which has an annual budget of £400,000, will run for an initial period of twelve months. The campaign is being implemented in partnership with the health boards, other statutory and non-statutory bodies and a variety of interest groups.
