What are some of the drugs that are use that can expose persons to HIV? Cocaine is one of them because it increases sexual stamina and can also counteract erectile dysfunction caused by regular use of other recreational drugs. But, this is only temporary. Some crack smokers suffer from burns and blisters due to the intense heat, if two persons are sharing the pipe there is the risk of HIV or Hepatitis B and C. Oral sex can also put heavy crack cocaine smokers at risk. The use of this drug causes the lack of judgment and the inability to make sound decisions and choices.
Are there any more?

Well, there is good old Mr. Alcohol it is another recreational drug that presents a major and most often overlooked, challenge to HIV. It is a challenge to HIV prevention, when we look at the excessive drinking that takes place within our communities known as binge drinking. IT IS A BIG PROBLEM not only here in the Turks and Caicos but world wide. Alcohol has been found to affect ones judgment and therefore, increases the likelihood of reckless sexual behaviour putting the person under the influence of alcohol at risk for not only HIV but other sexually transmitted infections. And this is often overlooked as a factor in the transmission of STI’s including HIV. Alcohol also put partners and family members of users at risk for physical and sexual violence and abuse.

Children within the Turks and Caicos are exposed to alcohol at a very early age, whether it is experimental or introduced by a family member who may feel that there is no harm in giving children a “little bit”. This can be very harmful and the practice must cease.
Marijuana also impairs judgment and puts one at risk for HIV transmission. Can one make sound decisions when one is laid back and “chillin” where anything goes? No! Can one make sound decisions when laughing their head off? No! Do you think that the brain is functioning properly when ones eyes are red and can barely open and ones speech is slurred? The answer is still no.

What about persons who are already infected with HIV?
We have persons that are HIV positive and use drugs but, this poses a great health risk because the interaction between the antiretrovirals and the recreational drugs being used can cause resistance to the antiretroviral drugs being taken. It increases the activity in the liver in some instance which causes resistance and in some instances the recreational drug act as an inhibitor causing the antiretroviral drug not to break down as quickly as it should therefore causing the virus to replicate. It is difficult to predict the interaction between recreational drugs and antiretrovirals as these drugs sometimes also damage the kidney.

Drugs can change the way the brain works, disrupting the parts of the brain that people use to weigh risks and benefits when making decisions. The risk of HIV transmission when under the influence of recreational drugs whether young, old or in between is greater. We ALL know the affects that drug and alcohol has had and continues to have on our society and mixing these ingredients with HIV is a recipe for disaster. Behaviour change is key to the choices we make today.  This determines what the face of HIV looks like tomorrow as we continue to fight this war - HIV.

For more information contact the National AIDS Programme on 946-1675 Grand Turk or 941-4984 Providenciales your source for up to date information on prevention care and treatment of HIV/AIDS/STI. Your National AIDS Programme together with you turning off the tap on HIV.