The consequences of risky behaviour

During this festive period when we, together with the world, glorify the thrill that comes from competition, drug use, half-naked bodies and sexual pleasure, there are some things I would like for us to be cognisant of.

Let us not totally ignore the dangers that are often associated with the thrills. Let us not become the unfortunate who recognises the deception, just a moment too late.

Let us not be the one who would self-destruct in the pursuit of having a “real” good time.

In our pursuit of having a good time as we see it, at this time, let the end result not be weeping and garnishing of teeth.

The reality is that some of us during this period would be disorderly, ably facilitated by our customs, clearly demonstrated by our behaviour.

For recreational purposes around this festive time, the casual use of mind-altering substances is undoubtedly underestimated when it comes to measuring the real impact that drug use has on the HIV pandemic.

It is a fact that drug use is a potential entry point for HIV to get into the general population, and during this “perceived” freedom, people engage in two of the highest risk behaviours for acquiring HIV — sharing drugs and having unprotected sex.

Sex acts in an intoxicated state will be a challenge to have control.

Females intoxicated by one or a combination of drugs seriously compromise their ability to negotiate safe-sex practices. Sexual partners of people who drink water out of cisterns not their own risk taking the virus home — another major link responsible for the spread of the disease.

It is quite possible that the desire to de-stress in an environment charged by music that promotes gyrating of perfectly healthy looking bodies intoxicated by the music and perhaps some kind of drug may result in high-risk sexual behaviour as we may wish to indulge in satisfying the craving of our nature.

This could be dangerous.

Drug use is perceived to enhance the experience of this street party.

Therefore the combination of alcohol, crack cocaine and marijuana is common, just as hyper sexuality.

Whatever is your drug of choice — alcohol, crack cocaine, or marijuana — there are implications for having a higher number of casual sex partners and compulsive sexual behaviour associated with the binge pattern of drug consumption.

HIV transmission occurs sexually, through a range of practices, some more effective in transmission than others. High-risk sexual behaviour is number one, and includes engaging in unprotected sex, sex outside of a covenant union, sex while intoxicated, having multiple partners, exchanging sex for money or drugs.

Our bodies should be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; this is our spiritual act of worship.

This year as you prepare to knowingly “free-up” yourself and then enter the church for ashes on Ash Wednesday, know this: repentance demands a change of mind and heart that results in changed behaviour.

Anderson Figaro via email