JP\/6\/DAVID<\/p>\n
Drug addicts, criminals, prostitutes, the \"hidden force\" infected
\nand spreading HIV\/AIDS AND HEPATITIS C<\/p>\n
David Gordon
\nand Joyce Djaelani Gordon
\nDirectors
\nHarapan Permata Hati
\nKita Foundation
\nCiawi, Bogor<\/p>\n
Recently there have been several reports about the increasing
\nnumbers of individuals that have tested positive for HIV\/AIDS.
\nThese individuals are from ultra high risk groups that include
\ndrug addicts, prostitutes, and criminals, especially those in
\nprisons. These reports from Greater Jakarta, Java, and Bali the
\nfigures of HIV\/AIDS at 25 percent injecting-drug users,
\nprostitutes, 3.65 percent prostitutes and 20 percent criminals in
\nprisons.<\/p>\n
Reports on the increase of HIV\/AIDS filter in from Sabang to
\nMerauke, from Sumatra to Pontianak, from Batam to Bali, from
\nYogyakarta to Surabaya -- yet regardless of what most people now
\nhear, and are beginning to see in their own communities and
\nfamilies the reality of the crisis of HIV and AIDS -- Hepatitis C
\n-- suffers to be fully realized.<\/p>\n
One group of our citizens shouts about the HIV\/AIDS epidemic
\nraging uncontrolled across our nation, while another group denies
\nthe HIV\/AIDS epidemic is real. Yet another group insists that
\nspeaking about such \"things\" causes more of these \"things\" to
\nhappen, another group believes \"these things\" are Gods Will and
\nthat the \"pure\" will not be afflicted with these tragedies.<\/p>\n
And another group is just arrogant about all of this by their
\nown naivety, and\/or stupidity. Another, large, group has no idea
\nthat any of this is happening at all.<\/p>\n
Drug addicts, prostitutes, and criminals (all containing males
\nand females) now make up a sizable quantity of our population,
\nextending into the scores of millions. Each of these \"ultra-high-
\nrisk groups\" now contain many individuals already infected with
\nthe HIV\/AIDS and\/or Hepatitis C viruses.<\/p>\n
These are not people who form entirely separate groups; they
\nalways overlap. Meaning, often addicts are, or become
\nprostitutes. Addicts will often prostitute themselves to obtain
\nmoney for drugs, or do sexual favors to obtain drugs. Addicts are
\nmost always very sexually active in the early years of their
\naddiction. Addicts are often known to use prostitutes. Addicts
\nare often involved in criminal activities.<\/p>\n
Most of the Indonesian population, and many of our leaders
\nstill deny the problem regarding HIV and AIDS (and Hepatitis C)
\nis as large (and lethal) as exclaimed. Police and prison
\nofficials deny regularly, the amount of HIV and AIDS existing
\nwithin the \"criminal community, and especially within the jail
\nand prison populations\".<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military denies the amount of HIV and AIDS
\nexistent in the military. Most every drug detoxification,
\nrecovery and rehabilitation center, and their owners and
\nmanagement are still in blatant denial about testing addicts that
\nenter their centers or programs for HIV\/AIDS and Hepatitis C.<\/p>\n
And, even if the center does test, and finds the addict
\npositive with a virus, the addict and their parents or guardian
\nare not told the truth or extent of the problem, or given the
\nproper information regarding the long term debilitating, and
\ndeadly effects of HIV\/AIDS, and Hepatitis C.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, so far, has been unable to mount any kind of
\neffectual front against drug trafficking, abuse and addiction,
\nprostitution and the sex industry, or criminal reform strategies,
\nor rehabilitation initiatives and programs within the prison
\nsystem, let alone confront these as an issue of combined
\neffectuation.<\/p>\n
These individuals are extremely difficult (almost impossible)
\nto reach as a group, to get to know, and even more difficult to
\ncommunicate with if you do not speak their language, bahasa
\njunkie, bahasa prostitute, and bahasa criminal. And there are
\nsome successful programs and methods of reform, rehabilitation,
\nand recovery available that do speak these languages.<\/p>\n
Programs of harm reduction, the 12-step program of Narcotics
\nAnonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and programs for prostitutes,
\ncriminals and gang members, community-based outreach and peer
\ntraining pograms, and some religious and spiritually-based
\nprograms, have all been effective in reaching into these shadowed
\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
As individuals we are never the less confronted with pandemics
\nof HIV\/AIDS and Hepatitis C, and groups that are reckless by
\ntheir nature of being. These are, often, people caught in a grip
\nof something they cannot fully explain themselves, and cannot
\nfind escape from.<\/p>\n
We must focus direct attention on these groups, yet realize
\ndecisive help must come from the inside of these groups, in the
\nform of peer leaders, outreach workers, community volunteers and
\ncounselors.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp6david-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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