In His Own Words: The Story of P'Boy, Peer Educator for PSI in Bangkok, Thailand
38% of injecting drug users (IDUs) in Thailand are HIV-positive. This is largely due to sharing injecting equipment and a lack of access to health services and information. PSIs Ozone Drop-in Center, a branded network of peer educators and drop-in centers run by PSI/Thailand. At the centers, IDUs can access health services, information, clean injecting equipment and condoms, in a confidential, trusting environment. More than 800 IDUs are currently being served by the centers. P'Boy, a recovering drug user, is a peer educator for Ozone Drop-in Center. He provides referrals to the center and HIV counseling and testing. He distributes sterile injecting equipment and educates his peers about the risk of HIV infections. On an average day, P'Boy meets with about 50 current and recovering drug users.
Images courtesy of Ben Johnson.
This film has been selected for screening at the 8th International Drugs and Harm Reduction Film Festival, to be held alongside the International Harm Reduction Association Conference in Beirut in April 2011. Read more.
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