Global AIDS epidemic continues to grow (World Health Organization). Around 65 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, more than 25 million people has died, since it was first recognized in 1981. An estimated 4.3 million are newly infected (source UNAIDS).

Although progress has been made in many countries in tackling HIV/AIDS, the pandemic is still burning persistently. India is growing highest in the infected rate population globally ie-5.7 million (UNAIDS).

Though the State aids control society is implementing various state AIDS policy and are taking up various AIDS control programe, our country still have to go a long way.

Using non-sterile injecting equipment is the main risk factor for HIV infection in North East states of India specially- Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland.

Manipur is a small north eastern state in India with an area of 22,237 square kilometer, bordering Myanmar. And thus Manipur became the infamous transit route for smuggling heroin from the Golden Triangle that passes through Moreh-Imphal en-route to other states so heroin is easily available in Manipur.

Since the mid eighties injecting drug use (IDU s) related problems has affected thousands of youths. HIV/AIDS in Manipur is now 17 years old. An estimated 24,000 number of people are HIV positive, out of which 5% are children, 25% are women, and 30% are IDUs who are mainly youths.

The HIV sero-positivity rate of the IDU, s was very high right from the beginning.

In course of time some self help groups namely NARCOTIC ANONYMOUS started to established their foothold in 1990 making a big difference for the drug user in the nineties, they introduce(Treatment) recovery through self help groups, bringing the drug users to mainstream.

Then a Non Government organization (NGO) namely Social Awareness Service Organization (SASO) was formed by some ex-drug users and they started addressing the issue of drug use and HIV/AIDS. In 1991 they began taking up activities of spreading awareness of HIV and in 1994 they took up harm reduction activities among IDUs and a self help positive people group were established.

And in 1997 Manipur Network of Positive people (MNP+) was formed by a group of people living with HIV, bringing a stronger and unified voice for the PLWHA s.

Various other organizations are also initiating different programs and action to curb the spread of AIDS epidemic in our society. Manipur State AIDS Control Society is also taking up different programs on the issue of HIV/AIDS.

So from many angles and platforms people have started giving a strong voice for a solution in addressing the AIDS epidemic. For - rights of PLWHAs. About stigma and discrimination, prevention and intervention measures, ART facilities etc.

As the percentage of HIV rate of IDU s has decreased to 24.1% according to the report on 1st Dec. 2006 of MSACS. This is a major breakthrough in Manipur. But the problem is still there and we have to face bigger challenges to curb the spread of AIDS epidemic and minimize the impact of it in our society.

Drug Sex and Rock N Roll - 70's reference of indulgence of drugs and rock music can be seen from time to time. It even started in Manipur as a trend amid Rock music lovers and musicians. Like wise, it was by and large abused by many.

In the beginning, as an influence to Rock music, it was mainly heroin that was abused both chasing and injecting, because it is easily available and cheap. The associations of music and drug have been going on with time to time, would it be heroin in the beginning or pharmaceutical drug at present.

The difference in the beginning and now is awareness of the harmful effect and vulnerability of drug abuse. With information and the level of awareness increased among the youths today, many efforts have been made by spreading message to stay away from drugs and keep rock music clean.

As an effort in prevention of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, PLWHAs Rock Band called' Positive Brothers' will set an example for greater impact to the audiences in spreading awareness and disseminating information on Drug use and HIV/AIDS.

They will perform a series of concert and also in any relevant campaign and advocate the issue through their music. They were all once rock musicians and have become PLWHAs because of the drug use and the trend, but today they are the warrior to prevention of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS.

A brief about the band -Taking this fact into account and the need, a group of PLWHA formed a band with some former musicians and named it as "POSITIVE BROTHERS".

To take in course of the purpose, the first performance took place at Shillong on May 16th 2005 on the account of observing International Candle Light Memorial Day. And also have performed at Shillong on World AIDS Day, 1st Dec. 2005.

After this consecutive performance in Shillong, the band has achieved a mileage in terms of recognition from various stakeholders, for it acts as an effective voice in raising the issues of PLWHAs.

So as, the band was invited to performed and to voice the issues at Jowai, Meghalaya by MANBHA Foundation to observed the International Day Against Drug Abused and Illicit Trafficking,26th June 2006.

The band took important role as a part of the campaign in the three days PLHWAs Convention, Workshop and Public Awareness Campaign in observation of 2nd Candle Light Remembrance for Positive Activism, May 20th -22nd 2006.

The band got even bigger mileage when they have been taken as an important issue in the one month long Awareness Campaign organized by Junior Doctors Association of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam. The campaign was culminated into a Mega musical concert where they have shared the stage with a popular Indian singer like KK.

This was the first time the band got lot of media attention and interaction. Then came this juncture where the need to upgrade the idea of positive band to serve as a force with activism. With this achieved platform where the positive singers have been dignified, many other good musicians who are PLHWAs have come out voluntarily to be a part of this process.

So the band is now looking towards musician who are PLHWAs and who can take up the role with activism. As to deliver, POSITIVE BROTHERS will be re- launched with only PLHWAs musicians and with new dimension and activism.

From all this, new ideas and dimensions arise to voice the issue, with support from various organizations namely North East India Harm Reduction Network (NEIHRN), Social Awareness Service Organization (SASO), and Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Positive Brothers is making a platform of PLWHAs to voice the issue through music to the mass with an ownership and commitment to bring about a positive response from all section of society, reduce stigma and discrimination, fostering an enabling environment for co-existence in terms of equality and nevertheless prevention of Drug abuse and HIV/AIDS epidemic.

This is an initiative to promote and to undertake in addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS. This will give a big impact particularly to the youths who are Rock enthusiasts, music lovers.

Time has come to exhale for a new performance to bring about a change for the youths and music.

TURN ON MUSIC TURN OFF DRUGS -
GET HIGH WITH MUSIC NOT WITH DRUGS.