BE SAFE!...A LITTLE DISCERNMENT WOULDN'T HURT EITHER

Reportedly, the number of people contracting STDs is becoming staggering. According to the NY Daily News, 60,000 people- in New York alone- were diagnosed with STDs in 2006. Of these 60,000 STD-infected people, 3,745 were HIV cases. (Please note that these figures are only inclusive of people who have been diagnosed by a health care professional, and does not factor in the untold number of people who have yet to be diagnosed).

With the rising evidence of so many people engaging in risky sexual behavior, there has yet to emerge a powerful educational campaign for STD prevention. There also seems to be a dangerous imbalance between the proliferation of have sex messages, have safe sex messages, and abstinence messages in the media. With that being said, it is important to remember what is at stake when engaging in certain acts. The risks aren't always as apparent as they should be. You must think for yourself, and you must protect yourself.

[SIDEBAR: With any decision that you make: Consider your personal rules and guidelines- and stick to them, consider your priorities, and weigh the repercussions].