Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald - Thursday, December 24, 1992
Steve Rothaus, Herald Staff Writer
"We tell them everything, step by step," said Eric Rodriguez, a Project Impact health educator. "Any question about HIV -- how it's treated and where to go."
Project Impact, at Lock Towns Community Health Center, 15055 NW 27th Ave., is funded by Florida Health and Rehabilitative Services and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The project's responsibilities do not include HIV testing. Free confidential AIDS tests are available next door at the North Dade Health Center clinic, social worker George Barroso said.
Project Impact's main goal is to educate minorities living in Opa-locka, Carol City and North Miami Beach about contracting AIDS through unsafe sex or illegal drug use.
"We target blacks, Hispanics and high-risk groups," Rodriguez said.
Although gay men are at high risk for HIV infection, none of the project's official brochures mention homosexuality, he said.
Rodriguez and other counselors use a variety of teaching aids, including Spanish- and English-language pamphlets, educational videos and life-size rubber penises for condom demonstrations.
"We show people how to use condoms," Rodriguez said. "How to buy condoms. Not just for males, but for females. We also teach protection when you don't have a condom."
He advises clients buy latex condoms, instead of sheep skin, to check expiration dates and whether the condom contains spermicide, which is preferable.
"Every time, it turns into a sex class. Everybody's got a lot of questions. 'What about oral sex? Is it risky?' We tell them it's like Russian roulette," Rodriguez said.
Some clients become embarrassed by such frank discussions, but still "they want to know," Rodriguez said.
Most people are receptive to the counseling, said Project Impact supervisor John Scerba. "When we're in shopping centers in the area, they take the brochures and information," Scerba said.
AIDS counselors also travel to local housing projects, mental health centers, health clinics and street corners, he said.
Next month, Project Impact will host a focus group for community leaders.
"Focus groups provide input from people in the area to make sure we are doing the right things and targeting the right people," Scerba said.
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