Philadelphia High Schools to Dispense Free Condoms

There will be something new in many Philadelphia high schools when students return to class next week - free condoms.

Under a city plan, free condom dispensers will be placed in 22 of Philadelphia's 51 high schools after winter break, part of an initiative aimed at battling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases between students.

Parents who do not want their children involved in the program can opt out, school district spokesman Fernando Gallard said on Thursday.