Behavior alters under the influence

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It is seldom that people think of the words "alcohol" and "AIDS" together, but many health professionals working in the AIDS field firmly believe that alcohol plays a serious role in the AIDS epidemic.

Although alcohol is not a route of transmission for HIV, it does play an indirect role by altering an individual's sexual behavior while under the influence.

Researchers have found a correlation between the use of alcohol and drugs and non-compliance with safer sex guidelines.

What are the implications for HIV prevention education? First, we must be able to explain the excess risk caused by the use of alcohol and drugs when having sex.

Second, we must encourage individuals not to engage in sexual activity while under the influence.

Third, we must integrate HIV prevention education into every Native alcoholism treatment facility in the country, and into alcohol/drug abuse prevention activities.

We must view the treatment for addiction as fundamental to the fight against the spread of HIV and fight for increased resources for both drug and alcoholism treatment and prevention.

We must become creative in our approach to disassociating sexual activity from alcohol and drugs.

Our success in HIV prevention will have a lot to do with how well we control the intersection between sex and alcohol abuse. The prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse in our communities will not only help to control this epidemic, but will help us to achieve a better health status for Native people today and for generations to come.

Ron Rowell, MPH, is the Executive Director of the National Native American AIDS Prevention.