The Voice
Twenty years later and still NO cure, HIV has become a much bigger problem than anyone expected in 1981.
In the beginning, the infected were minimal compared to the 36 million men, women, and children worldwide who are living with HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus) and the 22 million who have died from AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). This fact reported from the Public Policy Department of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation is staggering.
We are hit with the statistics every time HIV comes up. These are just numbers on paper, but the disease could one day, if not now, effect you or someone you love. Then you would be found in the stats too. A scary thought in itself.
The repercussions are ever-growing with no end in site. Our best bet now is education; about how HIV is transmitted, confidential testing, and living with the disease.
This is exactly what Georgia College & State University’s Student Health Services is providing with special programs. The programs are designed to include all of these aspects while continuing awareness in the forms of humorous skits, videos, parties and guest speakers.
The Colonnade knows the programs will be friendly to students and yet provide a much needed educational forum. The thought of so many lives being lost to this disease is overwhelming. Many benefits will come of these programs, and the great part about it is that all of this is free and confidential. We hope it will help students that have HIV admit it and become more open about it.
The bottom line is that we cannot catch HIV from being friends with someone, giving them a hug to say, “hey everything will be okay.” hanging out, or just showing a little compassion for another human being.
HIV is something that people should be aware of but not scared at the thought of it. Yes, it is deadly Yes there is no cure. But you can be safe when it comes to sex- be smart and protected.
The Student Health Services is located on the first floor of Parks Nursing Building on the corner of Montgomery and Wilkinson Streets, right across from Kilpatrick. You can also contact them at 445-5288.
For additional information on HIV, you can check out www.sfaf.org, or call the Center for Disease Control National AIDS Hotline Toll Free at (800) 342-AIDS.
The campus organization A.N.G.E.L.S. (AIDS Now Grasps Every Living Soul) is also a great contact for more information on HIV and AIDS.
Please feel free to contact The Colonnade in response to “The Voice” this week. Send your signed letter to the editors, and your voice will be heard.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 7 2001. Filed under Our Voice.
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