Drug Abuse and Addiction Contribute to HIV/AIDS in Canada

The Many Faces of HIV/Aids In Canada

HIV/Aids is still prevalent across Canada even after two decades from its inception and shows no signs of being eradicated. Even though Canada has taken major steps towards fighting this infectious disease and educating the general population on how to prevent infection and transmission. Canada's public heath agency is overseeing The Federal Initiative which is partnered with many facets of Canadian health care system share the same common goal to abolish this epidemic and prevent the spread of HIV/Aids in Canada. In most major cities across Canada you will find drug abuse and addiction which contributes to the number of HIV/Aids cases specifiably injection drug users who are high risk to contract and spread the blood borne disease. Injection drug use and HIV/Aids goes hand in hand in a lot of cases the government is realizing this and has introduced the use of needle exchanges. That offer clean needles , clean water, alcohol pads, crack pipe's and accessories for using safely and educate and promote safe sex by giving away free condoms and safe injection practices to slow the rate of infection among the drug user's and prostitutes and the johns who use them.

In my city Victoria B.C., the needle exchange had to move and could not find a place to continue providing there much needed service because of the public who had problems with the needle exchange. In my opinion it will cost the general public more because with out this service the chances of spreading the disease will increase tenfold which can put a strain on the health care system. The very people who appose the needle exchange don't want there taxes increased and don't what to see an increase of Aids/HIV in there community I would think. For proper prevention people are going to have to realize that injection drug users are going to inject drugs with or with out the needle exchange, but with the needle exchange in their community it is there to fight infectious disease not condone the use of illegal drugs. If the tables were turned, lets say drinking alcohol carried the risk of contracting HIV/Aids, when you share the drink then a service started which would offer free clean glasses to fight this risk of infection. Is that service just running to promote more drinking or to try and combat the risk of infection. It is ignorant to think these services increase the use of drugs, or their abuse. The focus should be directed towards prevention and further assistance for the community. The middle class and upper class should realize that having a needle exchange helps the community even if they are not receptive to it. They are not the only ones living in the community, the clients who use this service make up a healthy percentage of the population. The overall benefits outweigh the negative it has been shown in the past. It becomes apparent that their concerns and misconceptions are detrimental to the community as a whole as there is no needle exchange at the moment in Victoria B.C. As the number of HIV positive cases increase.

There are many fields in Canada where prevention is focused on in the Federal/Provincial prison system, Areas with high drug abuse and the health care industry. In the hospitals they have introduced a syringe with retractable needle which prevents reuse and accidental sticks. With all this focus on minimizing and prevention it leaves one to think is there enough going into research to find a cure for aids? or to make it dormant and kill the virus. We will never get to a point where we prevent the contraction of aids 100% there will always be those who get infected and spread it. I agree with getting the masses aware of how to contract the virus and how to prevent the spreading. In an ideal situation many countries could form one comity with strict guidelines and pool there resources together to find a cure for aids, with the right intention of getting it out to the masses and the poorer countries who cant afford the simplest of medicine, without trying to make millions off of it. I hope one day my kids will live free from HIV and the fear of contracting Aids because there is a cure which is available to everyone who needs it weather you can afford it or not.

[Obedience]

Another great post. Drug Abuse and drug Addiction is a major problem in developing countries like Nigeria and Kenya where you see children as young as 10 sniffing glue under bridges and by roadsides. The problem of drug abuse and drug addiction is worse in developed countries like America and Canada where teens especially have the money to purchase these dangerous drugs. Cocaine, Heroine, etc., are very expensive and very rare in developing countries because only few people can afford them. In developed countries, the case is just the opposite. Teens have the money to purchase these drugs.

As you say though, any child can purchase a glue stick for 'homework', and instantly has access to drug/solvent abuse.
The problem lies with ignorace to guilty behaviour.

[riddhisai]

yes even in whiteners used now a day contain drug these children who are left on roads should be kept in orphanages and should be taken care of under good supervision