NYC gave out 39M condoms in fiscal 2008

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A report by New York officials says the city gave away 39.07 million male condoms during fiscal 2008 -- amounting to six condoms for every city resident.

The Mayor's Management Report, which was released Wednesday, said the city Health Department more than doubled its condom distribution from the previous year, 17.77 million, the New York Post reported Thursday.

The report said 2 million female condoms were also given out during fiscal 2008.

The male condoms, which were distributed through community groups, were worth a collective $1,054,228.

A spokeswoman for the Health Department said the city is hoping to distribute 51.6 million during the current fiscal year.

The condom program was hailed by AIDS-prevention activists.

"It is a very important strategy," said Marie Saint Cyr, director of the New York AIDS Coalition. "People do pick them up and use them."