The Ogun State Government has warned youths in the state to steer clear of the dangerous drug practice known as “bluetoothing.”
The Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Kehinde Fatungase, described the trend as a deadly act in which individuals inject themselves with the blood of someone who has just taken drugs, believing they can “share the high.”
Fatungase gave the warning in a statement released in Abeokuta on Thursday.
Fatungase said the practice exposes participants to life-threatening diseases and undermines public health efforts to curb blood-borne infections.
He added that it puts young people at risk of HIV, Hepatitis B and C, severe blood infections, life-threatening reactions, and overdose.
He said, “In Ogun state, we are committed to protecting our youths.
“If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use, help is available at our Key Population One Stop Shop (KPOSS) health facility at 4 Kemta idi Aba, Abeokuta, for treatment and counselling services.
“We encourage our youths to choose life, choose health, choose future, say no to bluetoothing and encourage friends to stay safe. Together, we can prevent HIV and safeguard the next generation.”
Bluetoothing, also known in some parts of the world as “flashblood,” has been reported in countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, and Fiji, where health authorities link it to spikes in HIV and other infections.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with community groups and the Pyrates Confraternity, recently conducted over 125 sensitisation campaigns across schools, religious centres, and communities, reaching more than 30,000 people.
The Ogun State Ministry of Sports Development has also partnered with youth-led NGOs like the Drug Free Project to use sports as a platform for awareness and rehabilitation.
NAN
Leave a comment