AIDS (AQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) is one of the today's deadliest killers. It is found in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. As of the end of 2003, an estimated 37.8 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS. Approximately 40,000 new infections occur each year. Every year 2,200 cases of AIDS is reported in Maryland. Is enough being done to change this statistic?

In a poll that was done recently among 100 students at Northwestern, 32 percent of students polled had been tested for HIV, while 68 percent of them had never been tested. Those that had never done the test believed that because they have not ever been sexually active they are not at risk of getting AIDS. Seven percent of the students were uncertain about whether or not they were HIV positive, 92 percent were negative and 1 percent claimed to be HIV positive.

"We know it's out there but no one talks about it. We need more information," said senior Dominic Cunningham "Where are we supposed to get [information] from, the streets?" Like many other students at Northwestern High School, Dominic feels that there is not enough being done in the household or the schools.

Everyone knows that the nurse's office provides information and testing, but no one is going to actually go unless they feel that they have AIDS. Some are afraid of rumors starting, while others just don't want to face reality. Most parents think that AIDS is something that will never touch their child, but in all truth there are kids out here having sex and doing drugs, unaware of the dangers that face them.

"AIDS is not exactly something you can bring up when you with your friends or family, it's just not right," said an anonymous sophomore. Will it make a difference if AIDS was brought into conversations?

"We [teenagers] think that we're invincible, but AIDS doesn't see age," stated 11th grader Dennis Banks. Teens are the fastest growing group of people becoming infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. More education needs to get out into the schools and the community.

"It's not getting through to these kids," stated Coach George Garrison.

"It's our responsibility to test our intelligence about these things," said junior Erica Hartnett. HIV/AIDS is a preventable disease. Abstinence decreases the chance of getting the virus significantly and it's never too late to start practicing it. Sharing needles and not using latex condoms increase the risk of infection.

It's up to the people in our schools, homes and society to come together and work as a team to fight this disease. If we don't, in ten years what's the world going to be like?