The Antigua and Barbuda Together We Can (TWC) HIV/AIDS/STI peer education project has come to an end and will see 20 instructor trainers and 80 peer educators graduate in June.

Chairman of the National Drug Council, Clarence E Pilgrim commended the graduates and noted the course generated a lot of interest among the youth who participated. "I am warning young people to be vigilant because there is a clearly identifiable link between drug abuse and the vulnerability of getting sexually transmitted diseases and infections," he cautioned.

He also used the opportunity to congratulate the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross and TWC Co-ordinator, Joan Gomes and the UNODC Project Co-ordinator, Teju Alakija for the work they had done in the area.

Pilgrim said the UNODC's sponsorship had come to an end, but he was calling on corporate sponsors to come forward and assist the Red Cross to continue with the effort.

"It is important that we eradicate ignorance and remove the stigma of AIDS, especially among young people who will be among Antigua and Barbuda 's future working population," he concluded.