Pubdate: Wed, 03 Oct 2007
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2007 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Maxine Davis

WHY INVITE ANOTHER HIV CRISIS?

Re: PM's Get-Tough-On-Drugs Strategy Praised By Police, Oct. 1.

The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation operates a Vancouver health care centre 
for people living with HIV/AIDS -- many of whom have active drug 
addictions. The centre also houses one of the two supervised 
injection services in Canada.

The peak of the HIV epidemic in the mid-'90s in the Downtown 
East-side was brought under control by dramatic harm reduction 
measures. Despite this, the Harper government still refuses to 
acknowledge even the basic facts: Harm reduction, including 
supervised injection services, provides basic infection control and 
prevents the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases. By 
eliminating harm reduction, the government is inviting another HIV epidemic.

Maxine Davis, executive director

Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, Vancouver.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman