Teenagers are the driving force behind a new approach to help provide advice to young people about AIDS.
A pilot project is being set up in Ballymun aimed at young people in the AIDS high risk category. With a population of over 20,000, drug abuse and unprotected sex are problems facing many teenagers here.
Many teenagers are sexually active and don't use contraceptives.
The pilot project is also targeting early school leavers, many of whom miss out on health advice in the classroom.
The project is being run by 15 teenagers with backup from adult councillors. They visited Áras an Uachtaráin where President Mary Robinson praised their efforts to fight the AIDS problem. President Robinson conveys her support for this locally based project which provides information in a sensitive and supportive way.
The project participants have been trained in peer education to provide information and advice in sexual health, HIV and drugs. One of the participants in the project Vicky McElligott says she is now in a position to provide advice to people her own age. If the pilot project is successful in Ballymun, it will then be set up in other parts of the country.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 March 1992. The reporter is George Devlin.
