The Communities of Guguletu, Langa, Nyanga and Crossroads have taken upon themselves a responsibility to fight alcohol and drug abuse in their townships. Pupils, parents and elderly societies are saying enough to drug trafficking.

For Thanduxolo Bonkolo of Nyanga, Cape Town, facing up to his addiction to drugs is the only way he can survive. Thanduxolo says his addiction to the drug Mandrax turned him into a thief and that he even stole from his parents to support his habit. But he is trying to kick the habit and turned to the Guguletu Anti-Drug Association for help. Nomfanelo Plaatjie, of the Siyasebenza Clinic in the Phillipi Informal Settlement, says drugs have a negative impact not only on the people who abuse them but on their friends and family as well.

The first human trial of HIV vaccines to be held in South Africa is due to start in the next two to three months.

Government'€™s mother to child HIV prevention programme is in danger of turning into a dismal failure in at least six provinces. National staff have failed, repeatedly, to attend crucial meetings. Key provincial posts have been vacant for more than a year and there is a chaotic approach to crucial issues such as infant feeding, HIV testing, drug dosages and the following-up of babies and mothers. This does not bode well for an anti-retroviral treatment programme in the public sector.