|
"Ex-addict helping drug users find new
life"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(29/12/05)
KUALA LUMPUR: He started using drugs at 13 and knew nothing about HIV/AIDS
awareness.
Eight years later, Fredy kicked the habit through a harm reduction
rehabilitation programme in Indonesia.
He has since become a harm reduction consultant and made it his life mission
to promote HIV/ AIDS awareness.
“I used to read about HIV in the newspapers but did not know how a person
could be infected. Then, I joined the rehabilitation programme and quit
being a drug user. I became a volunteer and started doing outreach,” he
related.
Fredy, 27, was in Malaysia recently with two other consultants on the
invitation of the Malaysian AIDS Council to observe and advise on the
Government's soon-to-be launched harm reduction programme next month.
He is also a trainer with Asian Harm Reduction Networking, and has been
doing outreach work for the past five years.
“I feel this is my chance to make things better for others,” he said.
“As a former drug user, I had many friends who died because of HIV/AIDS.
Harm reduction is important because you can have some hardcore drug users
stopping their habit but starting again in a matter of time.
“For such addicts, at least harm reduction protects them by offering a
healthy option to life,” he stressed.
 Back to
News Page
|
