Beware reckless encounters

BOOZE-fuelled sexual encounters during the festive season should be avoided at all costs.

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo said alcohol often fuelled poor judgment.

“There are many things that alcohol is able to preserve‚ but dignity is not one of them‚” he said.

“When you are under the influence of alcohol‚ you have fewer inhibitions and may end up doing things in the heat of the moment you may regret tomorrow.

“So we are urging our compatriots‚ especially young people‚ not to behave recklessly just because we are in the festive season.”

Dhlomo said an annual surge in demand for emergency morning-after pills during this time was of great concern.

“The reported increase in the demand for morning-after pills is more of a worry because we‚ as the Department of Health‚ offer condoms to the public free of charge‚” he said.

“We remind the public that the best way to keep themselves free from the risk of having an unwanted pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection is by either abstaining from sex or using dual protection‚ which is a combination of condoms and female contraceptive methods at all times.

“Morning-after pills are for emergencies‚ and may not always be 100% effective. They also come with the added stress of finding [access to] and taking them on time.”