Shakawe — Alcohol abuse by youth is a major discouragement for them from participating in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Okavango HIV/AIDS men sector chairman, Mr Setimotswe Matengani, said in an interview that most of the youth in the village drank alcohol excessively, resulting in their failure to test for HIV/AIDS and know their status.

Mr Matemgani said drinking alcohol exposed the youth to the risk of having unprotected sex.

He urged the youth to refrain from engaging on anti-social activities that could destroy their future but instead uplift their lives by using government programmes such as CEDA.

He also complained about some committee members who failed to attend committee meetings, saying their failure disrupted the committee to follow its annual plans, and he urged them to attend such meetings because they were important. BOPA