Pubdate: Sat,  7 Oct 2000
Source: Daily Herald Tribune, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2000 The Daily Herald Tribune
Contact:  Postal Bag 3000, 10604 - 100 Street, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 6V4
Fax: (780) 532-2120
Website: http://www.bowesnet.com/dht/
Author: Laura Tester

HIV/AIDS VICTIMS DELIVER POWERFUL MESSAGE TO KIDS

Former Drug Users Warn Of The Dangers At Conference

A crowd of young people saw first-hand what a potentially fatal disease can 
do to two men who once lived the high life.

Former drug users George Deguerre and Bob Swan had a thought-provoking 
story to tell 250 aboriginal youth at the Keepers of the Bloodline HIV/AIDS 
Conference Thursday at Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie.

Deguerre, a Metis man diagnosed with HIV three days short of his 40th 
birthday, and Bob Swan, who suffers from AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency 
Syndrome), say they want to reach out to the youth - to tell them about the 
disease that attacks their immune system with a vengeance.

"Eventually, your system gets so deteriorated, a cold could even kill you," 
Deguerre said.

He's middle-aged, skinny, and sports thin, long hair like the ailing man 
next to him. They may not be strong physically, but their message was powerful.

"The disease is human and I am human - I am not the disease," Deguerre said 
after ending his presentation that brought applause.

"It's growing in the aboriginal population by leaps and bounds, and if we 
don't start educating the children now, then maybe in 40 years there won't 
be any aboriginal children."

After taking a drag from his cigarette in the cool autumn air, Deguerre 
shows off the scars from shooting cocaine in his arm. It was 80 per cent 
likely, Deguerre figures, that he received HIV through sharing contaminated 
needles.

"I also had a lot of unprotected sex," said Deguerre, who also suffers from 
Hepatitis C and B, and emphysema.

Swan was a heavy intravenous drug user several years ago in his prime. In 
1995, he was diagnosed as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) positive, but 
it didn't necessarily surprise him.

"I was downtown in Vancouver in the drug scene, so I knew what it was all 
about," he said.

In front of the fresh-faced listeners, he pulled out a small paper bag and 
its contents fell out - several prescription bottles. Twice a day, he must 
take the cocktail concoctions that help keep him alive.

Swan's HIV has become full-blown AIDS. Last year he almost died from the 
disease that has changed his life completely.

"I was always a nice guy but now I am even a nicer guy," said the 
40-year-old. "I go speaking around to communities and I look more to the 
spirit world and pray a lot."

Deguerre has also witnessed some positive out of the bad situation. The 
former log trucker does more volunteer work than he ever did before.

Both men volunteer with the Feather of Hope Aboriginal AIDS Prevention 
Society, travelling across the province to speak with other natives on 
HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness.

Swan referred to one reserve in British Columbia which is "completely 
infected and that's because no one is going around educating people."

It's a disease that has hit home with him in other ways too. His sister 
died of AIDS last year.

'DAY BY DAY'

"I live day by day, hoping I won't get sick, and try and communicate with 
people, and stay away from stressful situations," Swan said.

He hopes their story hits home to the group attending the conference that 
ended Friday.

One girl raised her hand in the audience, asking the question, "When you go 
to bed, does it scare you that you might not wake up in the morning?"

It's a question these two men hope these youths will never have to face.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart