Drug users and volunteers clearing Balti from used syringes

From October 15 to November 15, the Youth for the Right to Live NGO conducts a campaign to collect used syringes from parks, yards and staircases in Balti city, in a bid to reduce risks associated with injectable narcotic drugs, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the deputy chairman of the association, Ala Iatco, one of the goals of the campaign is to reduce the risk of infections like HIV, viral forms of hepatitis and other communicating diseases which spread accidentally, especially among children, who play with syringes they have found. Collection activities are organized weekly and they are joined by drug users benefiting from risk reduction assistance, the staff of the association and volunteers. Safety rules are strictly followed in picking up, transporting and disposing of the used syringes, says Ala Iatco, adding that the inhabitants of the cleared neighborhoods are often grateful for the work. Risk reduction activities are conducted in Balti for the fourth year now, and as they have proved successful, the Youth for the Right to Live Association urges all the NGOs involved in similar activities to follow its example and engage the beneficiaries as well.