Key principles for HIV prevention

HIV positive youth
Their needs are different but are also very important. They need help making decisions and may
need clarification to truly understand what HIV and AIDS means.
Safe sex is especially important for this population; to prevent the virus from being passed on
to others and to prevent their exposure to other STD’s.
HIV positive IDUs may encounter a double stigma—once due to their drug use, and the second
time due to their HIV status.
Key principles for HIV prevention
HIV prevention among young injecting drug users
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Funding and support
Financial support will be one of the key issues when you start your project . . . look for donors
and organizations that would like to be involved.
Getting support from government and authorities may also not be easy, but should be worked on.
Evaluation and monitoring
Don’t forget to evaluate your programme . . . you want to know if you are going in the right
direction.
You can look at number of syringes exchanged, how many IDUs you have been in contact with,
and many other indicators. More importantly, try to get information on injecting, sexual
behaviour and attitudes towards drugs.