In recent years, the number of adolescents who use drugs, as well as the overall number of HIV cases, has continued to increase in Armenia. International experience shows that early prevention—especially among school-aged children and adolescents—significantly reduces both experimentation with drugs and the risks of infection transmission.

Leading global public health organizations emphasize that open, well-informed engagement with adolescents, as a key age group, helps them develop healthy behaviors, understand risks, and avoid dangerous practices.

Taking into account the importance and necessity of prevention, within the framework of World AIDS Day events, Real World, Real People NGO, in cooperation with M. Mashtots Secondary School No. 1 in Charentsavan, initiated a training session for graduating high school students. The sessions were delivered by Sargis Avetisyan, Outreach Workers Coordinator at Real World, Real People NGO, and Mariam Karapetyan, the organization’s social worker.

During the training, a number of important topics were discussed, including:

• Basic information about HIV

• What to do when a person learns about their HIV status

• How to support people living with HIV and avoid discriminatory attitudes

• Specific aspects of working with people who use drugs, drug-related harms, and preventive measures implemented in Armenia

Such meetings are important because timely knowledge provided to adolescents protects them, promotes healthy behavior, and contributes to building a safer community environment.

Please note that photographing the training and publishing the photos were pre-approved with the school administration.