Algeria holds drug addition, AIDS, hepatitis colloquium

The second African colloquium on drug addiction, AIDS and Hepatitis opens Saturday in Algiers to discuss how to deal with the AIDS pandemic in the region, reports the Pan-African news agency "PANA."

The experts will also examine ways to prevent drug addiction, tobacco use and prophylactic measures with regard to hepatitis, and the role of the judiciary to control drug addiction.

The 6-8 May meeting is sponsored by the medicine school of the University of Algiers and the European Company "Drug Addiction, Hepatitis, AIDS," in collaboration with the WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS.

PANA quoted a representative of the company, Jean-Marie Gofens as saying the colloquium would enable participants, including African and Western doctors as well as researchers, "to share information and experiences on AIDS, hepatitis and drug addiction."

Gofens also insisted that the media play a role in the success of AIDS, hepatitis, and drug addiction prevention campaigns.

The first African colloquium on drug addiction, AIDS and hepatitis was held in 1997 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.