March, 1996 |
As Morrison' Test Returns Attention to
HIV Group of Teens Try to Save Lives
By Alexia Clarke
"I joined TAP because HIV and AIDS are growing rapidly in our community. If I can help prevent my peers from contracting it, I feel that I will have done a good job," said Shana Melton, one of Central's members of Teens for AIDS Prevention.
Teens for AIDS Prevention is a model peer intervention program designed to increase knowledge and change attitudes and behaviors among youth in an effort to reduce the risk of HIV infection. The program utilizes peer pressure in a positive sense: to encourage youth to protect themselves from HIV infection by modifying attitudes and morals.
TAP offers training to a group of youths who, in turn, design educational activities. The current group consists of eight kids from high schools in the Bridgeport area, including several students from Central.
"Teaching the TAP program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my social work career. These young people are enthusiastic, motivated, and intelligent. They inspire me and give me great hope for the future. I believe they will be personally responsible for saving lives in the future," said TAP instructor Linda Greene.
"TAP has helped to clear up many of my misconceptions about HIV, AIDS, and safe sex. It has really let me know what to do to protect myself against disease, and it has also let me know that the best solution is abstinence," said Ursula McMillian of Bridgeport.
"TAP is a light which brings hope to the world, because we not only are educating ourselves, but we also are trying to educate our peers," said Central's Maribel Agosto.
