HIV/AIDS on the Rise Along the Silk Road.

Drug users are on the increase in Central Asia along the Silk Road as more and more men engage in this harmful activity. Central Asia is a major route for drug trafficking from Afghanistan to Russia and then on to Europe. Also, sexual promiscuity has also increased the rate of HIV/AIDS. Unemployment has driven vast numbers of men and women away from home in search of work. Many spend 6-8 months a year away from their families. Most men are sexually active with other women and prostitutes while away from home and many women who work away from home work in the sex industry. Non profit organizations are reaching out to these people with printed materials in local languages and they also train nationals to teach HIV/AIDS awareness in schools. These seminars are being very well received and there is more demand for trained teachers.

In Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkey, drug users are on the increase as is the incidence of HIV. Governments in the region are concerned, but unable to address the problem due to lack of resources and corruption. The spread of HIV/AIDS is even denied by governments such as many in the regime in Iran. The feeling is that in Muslim countries, all is well and that there is no sexual promiscuity and therefore no HIV/AIDS. This disease is often seen as a western disease and it's this denial that is contributing to it's spreading like wild fire. It is estimated that about 130,000 people become addicted to drugs every year in Iran. Currently over 4 million people are addicted to drugs in Iran. With high unemployment and poverty, people look for an escape,and many turn to drugs. You can find this in every country of the world. Where will people find hope?

Iran has the unfortunate destiny of being a neighbor to Afghanistan where drugs are produced in massive quantities and sold for cheap to drug users in neighboring countries. The temptation to use drugs is great amongst the young people along the Silk Road. For every drug addict, there is a traumatized family and probably an abused son or daughter. Fortunately there is hope.

Ancient Silk Road Routes