Young people in Dublin and Naas talk about the availability and use of condoms with a view to preventing the spread of the AIDS virus.

Ronan Johnston and Majella Nolan speak to young people on Grafton Street in Dublin and in Naas, County Kildare about their views on condoms. A number of them already carry condoms with them on night out, as do their friends, although,

Whether they use them or not is another thing.

One woman thinks if people are into casual sex, using a condom is the right thing to do. The person carrying the condom is being responsible and is

Better than the guy, maybe, who wants to have casual sex but who isn’t doing anything about it.

Another woman believes everyone in a sexual relationship, male or female, should be responsible enough to use a condom. Therefore, in her opinion, women also need to carry condoms.

However, one man interviewed has a different viewpoint when given the scenario of a woman at a party producing a condom.

I wouldn’t think much of her, but I’d probably think advantage of the situation.

Buying condoms can be embarrassing for young people, particularly in a small place like Naas. To take the pressure and potential embarrassment out of purchasing contraception one man suggests condoms should be on sale everywhere rather than confined to chemist shops.

A pharmacist on Grafton Street says his customers are not embarrassed to buy condoms and he is only too happy to sell them as they are,

The only available method at the moment that can prevent the AIDS epidemic.

Another woman remarks that,

AIDS itself should be the condom.

But agrees that contraceptives are the way to go.

‘Borderline’ was a Saturday morning teenage programme that covered music, fashion and film. It was first broadcast on 11 October 1986 and was presented by Aonghus McAnally, Ronan Johnston and Majella Nolan.

This episode of ‘Borderline’ was broadcast on 14 May 1987. The presenter is Aonghus McAnally.