Panic among addicts after A.I.D.S. test

Press, 10 January 1987, Page 1

Panic among addicts after A.I.D.S. test

Special correspondent A drug addict who had shared needles with 10 or 12 other drug users in the last four months has had a positive test for A.LD.S. antibodies.. The chairmaif~ of- theA.I.D.S. Advisory Commit tee, Dr Richard Meech, of Napier, said the news had caused “a bit of a panic” among drug users living in the Same city. He would nbt identify the city, blit said there was "a high level of anxiety among intravenous drug users living there.” Many drug users were aware of the risks of A.1.D.5., but tended to ignore public health prevention messages until it "impinged on their lifestyle.” He said the danger of an explosion of cases was very real. Needle-sharing was a “highly efficient way to spread the virus,” as opposed to the slower rate of sexual transmis-

sion. * ' -*• - • “We can understand why cities like Edinburgh (where more than 40 per cent of drug addicts have now been infected with A.1.D.5.) go from low to very high numbers in 18 months ' to two years. Dr Meech said the drug addict was the first person in New Zealand to have definitely been infected through needlesharing. Several other intravenous drug users had positive antibodies and one had the full-blown A.1.D.5., but all those cases involved bisexuals or homosexuals who might have been infected through sexual transmission. It was also the first case of infection in an addict attending a drug treatment centre. Dr Meech said the person had been tested for A.LD.S. antibodies about four months ago, with negative results. Late last year another

test was done with a positive result During that “antibody window period” of .about four months the drug user had shared needles with between 10 and 12 others. Attempts were being made to reach and test these people, but contacttracing was totally voluntary and depended on the co-operation of individuals. . . Surveys at a Wellington drug treatment clinic showed a high level of awareness of knowledge about A.I.D.S. among drug users. But there was always a gap between the message getting through and those at risk doing something about it. The case highlighted “precisely what we have been saying all along” — the need for urgent action to prevent the spread of A.LD.S. among drug-user groups. Last month the A.I.D.S. Advisory Committee recommended to the Government a . system of sell-

Ing sterile- needles and syringes to addicts in exchange for used ones. Previously tt had opppscd such a move which would require a change-in drug laws. .Dr Meech said the main reason for' the delay in recommending the move was that they were told that without evidence noone would listen. “We gathered what evidence there was — but we had always appreciated the urgency of the situation.’* The case of the infected drug addict made clearer that urgency and he hoped this would be recognised by those making political decisions. Needle exchange had been discussed at a number of meetings with politicians, Health Department officials, and the police just before Christmas. There was support provided the appropriate constraints on drug abuse prevention could be worked out'