An HIV/AIDS workshop held Thursday afternoon in the library questioned how much students knew about the virus and disease before answering questions on the subject.

Three students from the campus’ Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) represented their chapter at the workshop to educate students about HIV and how it is spread.

The purpose of the workshop was to bring awareness and understanding of one’s risk factors.

Chris Louviere, Anri Lemoine and Corey Guidry gave presentations and had interactive activities to keep stu- dents involved.

Louviere, Lemoine and Guidry wanted to bring these risks to students’ attention.

“We really just wanted to provide tools for people to have (for the) prevention of HIV since it is such a big problem in Louisiana and in Ouachita,” Louviere said.

The workshop began with an activity in which each student received a cup of water.

The student then had to find someone to pour his or her cup of water into.

Then the student was required to pour half of their contents into a partner’s cup and rotate three times.

Once the water transfer was over, each student was given Litmus paper to drop in their cup, and if the water turned green, that meant their student was infected with HIV.

Following the activity, the pharmacy students gave a presentation that explained HIV/AIDS.

Louisiana has the most diagnosed HIV/AIDS victims of any state.

Overall, Americans have a one in 99 chance of being diagnosed with HIV in his or lifetime.

Since HIV is no longer a death sentence due to advancement in medicine, Louviere also said it’s time to break that stigma.

Louviere also said their organization is trying to get “people to see that it is not all cut and dry and boring info (sic),” but it is information that people can use in their daily lives.

Allie Toler, an undeclared fresh- man, said the event gave her an open mind.

“I learned sexual health is very important, and it’s important to get checked every so often,” Toler said.

SNPhA is an association comprised of pharmacy students who help undeserved people. The association plans to hold more workshops in the future.