The winds of change have long embraced our youngsters and sadly in some cases the results have been devastating.

Take for example the 'liberated' mindset of youths today who see no problems in engaging in casual sex and with zero regard for concerns against sexually transmitted diseases, especially the dreaded HIV/Aids.

Little wonder then that the number of youngsters, especially tertiary students being infected with HIV due to their indulgence in casual sex, is on the rise.

Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek recently told Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau that many youngsters thought their chances of contracting the disease via one-night stands were very slim, hence their rationale in not using any form of protection.

Chua said at present the number of people inflicted with HIV stood at 73,000, with an average of 19 people infected with HIV daily in Malaysia.

The figures are definitely worrying yet what is more alarming is the degree of ignorance and perhaps stubbornness displayed by our youngsters on the issue of HIV/Aids that is no less a tragedy when it comes to battling the spread of this deadly disease in Malaysia.

Be realistic

The statistics stare us in the face. The reality that students are engaging in casual sex is also gaping at us. And the nation has long been slapped with the truth that it has failed to tackle the problem of HIV/Aids.

Looking at today's SMS (short messaging service) influenced lifestyle, preventing youngsters from indulging in casual sex is virtually impossible. If force is used, there is bound to be resistance and it is in times of rebellion that the most drastic of measures surface.

The only way to save our children from being swallowed by the HIV/Aids scourge is by talking to them, yes, talking in the most honest and direct manner possible about this disease, its repercussions and the safety steps that must be adopted.

As long as the adults - be they parents, school authorities, counsellors, youth associations, doctors and religious authorities - refuse to accept the reality that casual sex cannot be eliminated from society, the country's battle with HIV/Aids will never end.

Take the first step by acknowledging that youngsters are engaging in casual sex. The next move is to determine what is preventing them from using protective means. If Chua's statement holds true that youngsters think their chances of contracting HIV/Aids through one-night stands is very slim, then it is a crying shame that our youths are an ignorant bunch.

Address the ignorance

Several methods can be taken to address the ignorance shown by our youngsters. The government must spare no effort in reaching out to youths to educate them on how HIV/Aids spreads. And to do this effectively, support from the media, be it print or electronic is very important.

For the electronic media, they must take it upon themselves to throw their judgmental attitude out of the window and organise programmes, be it documentaries or talk-shows on the issue of HIV/Aids periodically. The same must be undertaken by the print media, where articles talking about HIV/Aids must be featured as often as possible, with the target group always being kept in mind.

While the media will come out in defense saying it has done so, these however have been done on an ad-hoc basis. What the media conveniently forgets is that when it comes to life threatening diseases such as HIV/Aids, there is absolutely no place for 'ad-hoc'.

While non-governmental organisations, like the Malaysian Aids Council (MAC), have been doing its bit to educate and raise awareness among youths, especially students on the dangers of HIV/Aids, the same cannot be said of the government through its ministries, be it the Youth and Sports Ministry, Education Ministry or Health Ministry, all which have yet to show their commitment in helping educate youngsters on this disease .

For MAC, it considers itself lucky if schools agree to allow it to talk to students about HIV/Aids. But with the consent comes several conditions imposed by the school heads. For instance, the talk has to only centre around HIV/Aids, how the virus is contracted and how to keep HIV at bay. There can be no discussion on casual sex or condoms. If such conditions remain, it should come as no surprise when our youngsters end up with the deadly HIV virus.

Contrary to the typical adult belief, our students, be they at secondary or tertiary levels, are prepared to hear and know more about HIV/Aids i.e. the hard facts. Options must be given to them to make sure they are able to make safe choices when engaging in sexual activity. It is the adults' reluctance to share the truth with youngsters that has led to the situation of more students ending up with HIV.

The decision to start sex education in schools, while laudable, should not be a half-hearted approach by the government.

Matter of priority

When it comes to dealing with the problem of HIV/Aids, the issue can only be tackled and really tackled when the government gets its priority right. Is the government serious in wanting to halt the spread of HIV/Aids in Malaysia? Does the government have its people's safety at heart? Will those inflicted with HIV/Aids be ostracised should they decide to come out and share their story?

Until and unless the government decides how it honestly wants to deal with the challenge posed by HIV/Aids, our youngsters will continue to 'contribute' to the statistics of people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHAs).

The choice here really lies with the government. When it comes to HIV/Aids, Malaysia Boleh! Not for the highest number of casualties mind you but for being successful in its efforts to stop the disease from further spreading among its people.

JJ RAY started her career with a mainstream publication. A non-conformist, she soon saw the barriers that went up whenever, through her writing, she tried to make the world a home for one and all.