UNODC is cosponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
Vulnerability of North East to AIDS threat discussed
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22 January 2008
Guwahati, India
Drug abuse and the consequent prevalence of HIV/AIDS has taken a heavy toll of precious young and talented life in the Northeast along with some other vulnerable parts of the world. Though the media has been playing a positive role against drug abuse and its dangerous consequences, a lot more can be done to fight the menace with renewed vigour.
Gary Lewis speaking in the media workshop on HIV/AIDSWith this view in mind a day-long workshop on the 'Role of media in preventing drug abuse and HIV/AIDS' was organized at Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok, Guwahati on January 22. Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Regional Office for South Asia (UNODC, ROSA), New Delhi, with active support from Guwahati Press Club, the workshop was attended by journalists from Assam and Meghalaya.
UNODC, ROSA representative Gary Lewis drew the attention to the specific vulnerabilities of the Northeast towards the menace. "The region needs to pay more attention to a problem that can only grow if left unattended as drug use and HIV/AIDS go hand in hand here affecting families and causing social imbalance, apart from medical complications," Lewis said. He also expressed concern over the emerging problem of human trafficking, with the Northeast emerging as a major source area.
The workshop was also addressed by journalist and Asam Sahitya Sabha president Kanaksen Deka and Guwahati Press Club secretary Nava Thakuria.
Gary Lewis speaking in the media workshop on HIV/AIDS