The Hassanouna Association for the Support of Drug Users in Tangier organized a meeting yesterday, Monday, to discuss ways to reduce the spread of AIDS and ensure patients’ right to health.
Under the theme “Follow the Path of Rights… My Health is a Right,” this event marked the commemoration of World AIDS Day. It provided an opportunity to showcase the awareness activities and services offered by the association to drug users and raise public awareness about the disease.
Fawzia Bouzitoun, the association’s director, emphasized that their approach focuses on reducing the demand for drug use to curb its societal impact. She noted that the association’s services extend beyond AIDS prevention, also covering other viral diseases such as hepatitis C and tuberculosis.
Ms. Bouzitoun highlighted the association’s efforts to assist this vulnerable segment of society in overcoming social challenges and accessing treatment. She reiterated Morocco’s commitment to the international goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030, underlining the vital role of media in achieving this goal.
Morocco serves as a model in the Middle East and North Africa for its national strategies targeting vulnerable groups and its comprehensive programs for the care of affected and at-risk individuals.
Houcine Outaleb, a field worker and risk-reduction trainer, noted that with the Ministry of Health’s support, the association successfully reduced AIDS infection rates in Tangier through preventive tools such as syringe kits.
He called for a societal shift in perception toward drug users, often stigmatized, emphasizing that addiction is a significant risk factor for AIDS. However, with proper support, these individuals can reintegrate into society.
Mokhtar El Aroussi, the association’s media officer, stressed the importance of collective action to break the societal taboos surrounding AIDS and bolster preventive and curative measures.
During the event, two films, “Khirengina” and “Recklessness,” produced by beneficiaries of the association, were screened. They highlighted the risks of AIDS transmission among drug users and the importance of early diagnosis.
Morocco observes World AIDS Day under the slogan: “Towards a Morocco free of AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, and tuberculosis by 2030.”
