safe sex

The N.C. Harm Reduction Coalition recently launched a new outreach program for Hispanic farm workers and day laborers, a group at high risk for infectious disease. Due to the grueling physical requirements of their jobs, many migrant workers inject vitamins for strength, as well as pain relievers. The absence of women (80% of farm workers are men) creates a demand for sex workers, and in case of infection, there is little to no medical care available due to the legal status of many migrant workers.

Fermin is a migrant worker from Guatemala. In 2005 he made the difficult decision to leave his wife and five children to come to North Carolina in search of work. He crossed at the Arizona border after 45 days travel, 15 in the desert with no food or water.