Valley Perspective : Education is Half the Battle in AIDS Fight : Peer Counseling for Teen-Agers and the Play ‘Secrets’ Are Important Weapons

Between the months of September of 1991 and 1993, the number of teen-agers diagnosed with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome nearly doubled, nationwide. And as if that weren’t troubling enough, the National Commission on AIDS has also warned that such figures can be deceptive because the human immunodeficiency virus suspected of causing AIDS can incubate within the body for a decade or longer before symptoms occur.

And as if that weren’t troubling enough, we now note that the level of ignorance of these matters among sexually active teen-agers is so overwhelming that it almost defies belief. Some still believe that only homosexuals can contract AIDS.

Which is why efforts such as a 2-year-old North Hollywood program are so vitally important. In it, carefully educated teen-agers help staff the Valley Community Clinic on Vineland Avenue. One of their most important tasks is to impart accurate information to other teen-agers when the subject of sex comes up, as it often does. This is a thoughtful approach that takes advantage of the fact that some youths find it easier to discuss such matters with their peers.

The Burbank Unified School District has taken another welcome approach by allowing the production, this week, of a play that stresses the dangers of AIDS. The play, which will be staged at Burbank High School, was produced by the Kaiser Permanente hospital care organization. The play, “Secrets,” has been seen by 700,000 California students.

By contrast, Glendale Unified School District officials have been much slower to respond. Officials there canceled an effort to put on the same play at Hoover High School and only recently agreed to reconsider that decision.

Teen-agers are sexually active at alarming rates. Part of the response must include programs that teach youths about the dangers of AIDS.