Brazil Govt. Targets Carnival Debauchery

As Brazil prepares to indulge in the 5-day party known as Carnival, the president is spearheading a campaign to get samba-crazed revelers to practice safe sex and drink in moderation. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told Brazilians to have fun in his weekly radio address, AFP reports, but reminded them that "the next week we have to work and look after our families."

Lula's downbeat message ahead of Carnival coincides with the health ministry's new "Good in bed means wearing a condom" campaign. Local governments will distribute 19.5 million condoms, and in Recife the morning-after pill will also be available free. Although Brazil has one of the world's most progressive anti-AIDS programs, the Catholic Church has opposed the campaign, Reuters reports. (More Carnival stories.)