PDF: EasyToRead_EffectsOfDrugs_012017.pdf
HIV is the virus that causes the disease AIDS. Most people just say "HIV/AIDS" when they are talking about either the virus or the disease it causes.
AIDS is a disease that makes your body unable to fight off illnesses. We have medicines that can treat it, but there is no cure yet.
Drug use can put you in danger of getting HIV/AIDS.
When people are high on drugs, they don't think clearly. They might do risky things. They might have sex without using a condom to protect against HIV/AIDS, other diseases, and pregnancy. If they inject (shoot up) drugs like heroin, cocaine, or meth, they can get HIV/AIDS by sharing a needle with someone who is infected.
Doctors have learned that helping people to stop using drugs also helps them avoid getting HIV/AIDS.
Visit this page to learn more about HIV/AIDS.
"It was easy to ignore that little voice in my head."
©istock.com/ajr_imagesWhile partying with cocaine, Jason made bad choices about sex. Now he is living with HIV.
