{{Short description|Condom distribution project}} '''Life Guard DC''' is a Washington, DC, condom distribution program and part of The Condom Project, a Tides Center project that is driven by the involvement of peer-to-peer social networks, local businesses, and community-based organization outreach services to destigmatize condoms and to increase their use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tides.org/impact-partners/|title=Our Partners and Impact|website=Tides}}</ref> The program distributes free condoms at local establishments in historically overlooked communities, 24 hours a day.
== HIV in Washington == Washington has the worst HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. 1 in 20 residents is living with HIV and 1 in 50 residents is living with AIDS.<ref name="one">"[http://www.dcappleseed.org/projects/publications/HIV.pdf HIV/AIDS in the Nation's Capital: Improving the District of Columbia's Response to a Public Health Crisis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716184302/http://www.dcappleseed.org/projects/publications/HIV.pdf |date=2007-07-16 }}". The DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. August 2005</ref> The epidemic is driven by sexual activity (both heterosexual and homosexual) and then by injected drug use. Latex condoms, when used correctly, are highly effective in reducing the risk of HIV transmission.<ref name="two">"[https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/condom.htm How Effective Are Latex Condoms in Preventing HIV?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001542/http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/condom.htm |date=2016-03-04 }}", The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.</ref> Many stores and pharmacies in Washington, like CVS, keep condoms in locked cabinets which can deter people from purchasing them. Also, there are few business that sell or organizations that distribute condoms in the areas of Washington with the highest rate of HIV.<ref name="three">Levine, Susan. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113001462.html The Condoms? Please, Take One]", ''The Washington Post'', December 1, 2006; page B01.</ref>
== DC Government response to the epidemic == The DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a non-profit public policy organization, has harshly graded the District's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.<ref name="four">"[http://www.dcappleseed.org/projects/publications/HIV.pdf HIV/AIDS in the Nation's Capital: Improving the District of Columbia's Response to a Public Health Crisis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716184302/http://www.dcappleseed.org/projects/publications/HIV.pdf |date=2007-07-16 }}", The DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, August 2005</ref> The Center's report called condom distribution an "immediate priority". The city had planned to distribute 600,000 condoms in 2005 but only delivered 100,000.<ref name="five">Levine, Susan. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/15/AR2007021501661.html?sub=AR 250,000 Condoms Deployed for HIV Awareness, Prevention]", ''The Washington Post'', February 16, 2007; page B03</ref>
== Life Guard's initiative == Life Guard was formed by a coalition of local non-profit organizations to provide condoms, specifically in areas with high HIV infection rates. Life Guard creates condom packages with lubrication, safe sex information and information on HIV/AIDS resources in Washington. These condom packages are placed at 24-hour businesses such as fast food places and laundromats. The program has already distributed more than 100,000 condoms. The program has received a lot of press for its innovative and simple way of tackling the HIV crisis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.wjla.com/news/stories/0207/397905.html |title=ABC 7 News - D.C. Officials Distribute Thousands of Condoms |website=news.wjla.com |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219033519/http://news.wjla.com/news/stories/0207/397905.html |archive-date=19 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The organization uses simple ways to explain the organization and its goals, such as using YouTube.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4lKIyeVVoM&eurl=http://www.lifeguarddc.org/press.html|title=The LIFE GUARD Condom Distribution Program|last=TheCondomProject|date=20 February 2007|publisher=|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref>
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.thecondomproject.org/life-guard-dc.html}}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Life Guard Dc}} Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Health and disability rights organizations in the United States Category:HIV/AIDS activism in the United States Category:HIV/AIDS organizations based in the United States