Shaft, Stretch, and Dick

I couldn't make this up if I wanted to.

Threesome promotes safe sex
Cartoon condoms battle spread of AIDS with help from local director, students
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, Parliamentary Bureau

A trio of made-in-Canada cartoon condoms is helping battle the global spread of AIDS. The animated rubbers -- named Shaft, Stretch and Dick -- are featured in a series of public service announcements called The Three Amigos, officially launched at the United Nations this week.

Firdaus Kharas, the Ottawa-based producer and director of the project, said the volunteer-driven initiative uses humour to tackle the deadly disease head-on. The Canadian government kicked in $100,000 to help distribute the tapes in AIDS-ravaged South Africa, where segments have aired to roaring applause.

'MEMORABLE' SPOTS

"What we're trying to do is create something that's memorable and ... gets the message across that if you're going to have sex, then for heaven's sake, use a condom," Kharas said.

The cartoon mates use comic relief to send a serious message about preventing HIV/AIDS. In one clip, they play soccer but "can't score" without protection. In another, they're astronauts who can't "blast off" without a condom.

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