Alcohol, AIDS and Condoms

Dec 03, 2004

SIR— I have long been puzzled that in all the prevention talk about AIDS (not to mention the millions of dollars spent on it), rarely is alcohol abuse mentioned as a big factor.

SIR— I have long been puzzled that in all the prevention talk about AIDS (not to mention the millions of dollars spent on it), rarely is alcohol abuse mentioned as a big factor. Such abuse in itself already has huge social costs. But how in the world will the ABC purported solution for HIV prevention work for individuals who have drunk a lot? The director of Serenity Centre in Nsambya, an NGO that treats people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, also reveals that alcohol abuse renders anti-retrovirals ineffective. How many on such treatment or among the public are aware?

Fr Tony Wach
Kampala


SIR— It appears to many people that the condom has been responsible for the rise of immorality among the youth. I would like to respond to the letter of Henry Massa which he published in The New Vision on Thursday that abstinence is
the best way out of death from AIDS. I agree, but my concern is on his statement that ABC (Abstain, Be faithful, Condom use) cannot work except A.

Patrick Ruhweza
Fort Portal

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