Rising HIV Levels Blamed on Excessive Drugs Use
Throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia, an HIV epidemic is claiming the lives of young people and it is a problem that is escalating rapidly. From statistics gathered by the United Nations Children’s Fund also known as UNICEF, this is an alarming rate and one that should be investigated thoroughly.
Drug abuse and promiscuous and unprotected sexual encounters are said to be the main reason for the rapid rise in HIV cases. Young people are unaware of their risks and are engaging more and more in illicit drug use as well as unprotected sex. It is believed that one of the main reasons for this epidemic is said to be the continued showing of mild drug use and casual sex on television, and the subsequent desensitisation of both of them.
The UN reported that there are approximately 3.7 million people that inject drugs in both Eastern Europe and in Central Asia. Most of these cases began drug use and contracted HIV from as young as 13. There are many young people who are not getting tested because of an increased level of stigma attached to HIV, and this is preventing the nation’s young from HIV testing.
It is believed that around 4000 people in Bulgaria are HIV positive, but only a quarter of that number is aware. These statistics were collected by the health authorities of Bulgaria. The head of the HIV-AIDS prevention and control programme, Tonka Vurleva is profoundly concerned about these numbers as approximately 3000 people are unaware.
People between the ages of 15 and 29 are in at the highest risk of contracting the virus, and as a result, campaigns for Aids prevention and awareness have been oriented towards them. Most health centres and social services offer aid but often time’s teens and young adults are exposed to judgement, discrimination and criminal prosecution, if or when and if they seek treatment.
It seems like the solution for this growing problem is to reach out to adolescents who are infected with HIV or a sexually transmitted disease in a nonjudgmental and friendly way. In this way, they can receive the best and unbiased medical care, treatment, counselling and support.
