It’s amazing how contradictory the environment of DeKalb can be. It seems to be the typical college town, from its plethora of karaoke bars and cheap real estate, to the popularity of its all-encompassing Wal-Mart. Yet, it isn’t long before the shrill whistle of our cargo train is noticed, and one begins to wonder if there really is any residence around campus that can avoid its invasive siren. One soon finds this college town is full of paradoxes.

For instance, a contradiction regarding the attitudes about contraceptives and sexual health has a foothold in DeKalb. Did you know the last official survey count of HIV diagnoses in Illinois (2003) was up to 37,599? (Keep in mind these cases are of only those who know they are infected.) And did you know that 27 percent of the nation’s infected members are between ages 15 and 34? Hmm, that would make a college town such as DeKalb a pretty high risk area for HIV – so don’t you think it’s pretty unreasonable that Road Ranger, the largest gas station chain in DeKalb, would refuse to sell condoms?

A clerk at one of our Road Ranger locations attributed this decision to the faith of the chain’s manager.

“He is a devout Catholic,” the clerk said.

That would mean the Road Ranger manager follows the doctrine of the Catholic Church, which sees birth control as an interference with God. Based on this reason, it’s understandable why this manager wouldn’t want to encourage the use of contraceptives in his stores. Unfortunately, it’s 2005, and the rhythm method isn’t going to save a very sexually active community from STDs.

One might suggest students should simply delve into the free condom supply that University Health Services offers. A good idea.

However, in the likely circumstance that one’s condom supply becomes depleted, which might occur outside “office hours,” one may be faced with the decision to wait until the next business day or to act recklessly. It is also quite likely in our community that one might be intoxicated on top of this. In these scenarios, recklessness is a likely outcome.

One might also suggest a student should just drive to a different gas station – there are plenty of others in DeKalb, right? Well, sure there are – but that’s beside the point. Road Ranger is one of the largest convenience store chain in our community (there are three locations in DeKalb and one in Sycamore), and the area is largely comprised of sexually active, and possibly infected, people. It can be difficult to persuade people to use condoms at all, especially when many people tend to worry more about pregnancy than diseases. Unfortunately, our potential for becoming infected by a STD has never been greater, and it makes little sense that the store we rely on for our protection won’t offer it.

If you are sexually active, please support the stores that sell condoms. There are two Amoco locations in DeKalb – each sell condoms and are open 24 hours a day. There are also numerous other convenience stores in the area that can be relied on. In a town as contradictory about its morals as DeKalb, it remains in everyone’s best interest to stay on the same page about STDs.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.