In the Valencian Parliament, a new clash has emerged over an emotional-sexual education campaign supported by the IVAJ and aimed at the youth. The issue centers on the controversial practice known as chemsex, which combines sexual activity with the use of certain drugs. Debates focus on whether Generalitat is supplying information about risks or actually encouraging experimentation. The tone and emphasis shift depending on whether one sits with the government or in the opposition.
Consell Vice President and Equality Minister Monica Oltra praised IVAJ’s emotional-sexual education efforts as a tool to reduce harm associated with chemical sex. She described the campaign as very positive, helpful, and feminist in nature, highlighting its role in harm reduction rather than promotion.
During a plenary session, Oltra responded to criticism from the People’s Party, who accused the administration of encouraging drug-use through its messaging. She noted that many civilized jurisdictions, including Madrid’s city government, carry out similar campaigns. The government argues that the intention is not to promote drug use but to inform and safeguard young people against risks associated with chemsex.
The IVAJ campaign, carried out under the banner of emotional-sexual education, uses the slogan related to its outreach on social networks. Its aim is to engage young audiences where they are, present balanced information, and encourage safer behavior online and offline.
In a related discussion, Juan Carlos Caballero, the youth spokesperson for the popular group in the Regional Parliament, pressed Oltra to clarify the campaign’s purpose. He questioned when it was decided to use IVAJ to influence young people toward sexual activity involving drugs and challenged the idea of consent with the slogan “no means no.” He also queried the ministry’s leadership and whether a change in oversight would occur.
Oltra asserted that IVAJ’s efforts align with practices seen in other modern nations and form part of a broader approach to addressing chemsex through harm-reduction strategies. She stressed that the campaign does not promote drug use or sexual activity among minors. Instead, it targets specific age groups through social media channels to mitigate risks associated with the behavior, applying the same principles irrespective of political preference.
She highlighted a survey conducted by Positive Support focused on sexual habits and drug use, noting that responses indicated current engagement with drugs among the population surveyed. The data suggested geographic concentration patterns from the earlier years, with varying figures across different autonomous communities. Oltra also commented on the perceived effectiveness of campaigns, joking that some comparisons to other regions showed differing levels of impact, but repeating that the central goal remains reducing harm from chemsex practices.
Further, Oltra referenced a Madrid City Council advisory campaign addressing chemsex, using the example to illustrate cross-regional approaches. She attributed criticism from opposition groups to the complexity of messaging and urged a balanced view that prioritizes public health and safety. The opposition caucus, including others, raised questions about the campaign’s messaging quality and its reception among different constituencies. Oltra reiterated that politics often involves confronting reality with practical solutions aimed at minimizing harm, and she pointed to common practices in other jurisdictions as a framework for Valencia’s strategy.
Overall, the discussions in the Valencian Parliament reflect a broader tension between information sharing and behavioral influence in public health campaigns. Advocates argue that informed, harm-reducing messaging is a prudent measure in a landscape where chemsex presents real health risks. Critics contend that messaging may have unintended consequences if not carefully calibrated. The debate continues as lawmakers assess the balance between education, protection, and freedom of choice, with the shared objective of safeguarding youth while respecting diverse viewpoints.