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Drug abuse fuels spread of AIDS

    JOHANNESBURG

    Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for greater focus on the devastating link between HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.

    NDLEA chairman Alhaji Bello Lafiaji said despite the country's existing HIV/AIDS awareness programmes, not much was known about the spread of HIV through drug abuse.

    He warned that substance abuse often led to loss of inhibition, which created a tendency to engage in risky sexual behaviour.

    "Scientific and empirical evidence has shown that substance abuse contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS by enhancing risky sexual behaviour, such as seeking gratification without due protection, and sharing of unsterilised needles by injecting drug users," Lafiaji was quoted as saying by a local newspaper, the Vanguard.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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