Drugs and HIV/AIDS : African Synergy Continues Sensitisation

As part of events to commemorate the 6th edition of the Cameroonian Month against AIDS and in view of the 37th World AIDS Day on December 1, African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering yesterday November 27, 2024 in Yaounde, organised an information, education and awareness-raising educational chat with young managers of health clubs in secondary schools and their supervisors. Discussions took place in the presence of the Executive Secretary of African Synergy, Jean Stéphane Biatcha and the Principal of Lycée Général Leclerc, Onambele Mireille. 
Discussing under the theme: “Drugs and HIV/AIDS: It Concerns Me”, the educational talks which gathered some 120 students from 70 schools in the seven subdivisions of the city of Yaounde aimed at strengthening awareness-raising strategies and prevention actions for those involved in the fight against AIDS and drugs. The Communication Officer at the National Committee for the Fight against Drugs, Sophie Atangana Bahell opened discussion on the topic “Drugs and its Impact on People Health.” She revealed that the poor and the rich alike are affected by the use of drugs which has physical and mental impacts on the consumer. Hence, the need to seek lasting solutions to the phenomenon. 
The Permanent Secretary of the National Committee for the Fight against AIDS, Dr Joseph Fokam elaborated the impact of drugs in the fight against HIV/AIDS. While noting that the prevalence rate of HIV amongst young people stands at 1.2 per cent, the majority, he lamented are females. He also explained that when young people are under the influence of drugs, they share syringes in the process and spread HIV if any of them has a positive status. “Worst is the fact that after consuming drugs, the young people are usually involved in a group unprotected sex”, Dr Fokam underlined. Talking on the fact that y...