The link between drug use and HIV/AIDS among young people in ...

“You see a nice girl you can’t leave her so. So you go and get rum, weed and you start
giving her an she now would start to feel more horny than you because she dere on a
higher level now.” [males and females, 20-24, out of school]
Marijuana & Sex
Participants indicated that marijuana smoking affected the brain, including behavior and mental
control. Persons who smoked marijuana tended to influence others to use drugs and/or engage in
sexual activity. It was reported that girls who smoked marijuana became targets of boys who took
advantage of their state of mind.
“If you see you dancing with a real thirsty boy and he see that you real smoke and thing,
he will bring you in a corner and just mash you up and you don’t know what happen.”
[females, 14-16, out of school]
Some male participants were of the belief that marijuana boosted their confidence and made them
more extroverted and sociable to engage in conversation with girls that would lead to sexual contact.
Six groups reported that marijuana was the most popular drug perceived and used by youth to
stimulate sexual desire or appetite.
“Anytime ah smoke weed and thing ah does be on a different vibes, ah ask them (girls) for
it (sex). Having sex under the influence of marijuana is very fulfilling.” [males, 14-16, out
of school and males and females, 20-24, in school]
Alcohol & Sex
One perception was that alcohol stimulated one’s sex drive resulting a more passionate and ‘rough’
sexual encounter.
“When I drink I don’t have me normal mind, I doh lying to tell nobody anything come in
my way especially girls …and I does want a lot of girls when I high.” [males and females,
20-24, out of school]
Alcohol was also used to deter premature ejaculation. Four groups 14-19 years in and out of school
identified Guinness as the main alcoholic beverage used to prolong erection and delay ejaculation.
“I hear fellas say “I go drink 2 Guinness suck some salt”. I hear about it, they say you go
longer.” [males, 17-19, out of school]
Two groups indicated that boys encouraged girls to consume alcohol to take advantage of them
sexually. Some males were of the opinion that young girls lost control easily when they drank alcohol.
“I know some girls can’t drink, when they drink half a (beer) they gone. Yea, mostly all.
So when guys giving girls alcohol to drink, normally they giving them because they want
them in a particular way.” [males, 14-16, in school]
Spanish fly – an aphrodisiac
Three groups reported that Spanish fly was used by males to drug females with the intention of having
sexual intercourse with them without resistance. It was also indicated that some boys who engaged in
this activity were popular guys.
“I think that girls they don’t want to have sex with that particular boy and he may give
her drugs or so. For example, what I know of Spanish fly, and it can turn them on and
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