A.I.D.S. Foundation short of funds

Press, 26 February 1987, Page 39

A.I.D.S. Foundation short of funds

PA Wellington The A.I.D.S. Foundation needs $500,000 to continue its education campaign to stop the disease from spreading, says the foundation’s director, Warren Lindberg. “We have to keep reminding people that there are over 200 people we know about who are infected, and there are probably many more we don't know about. You catch A.I.D.S. from people who appear perfectly healthy,” he said. The foundation applied to the Health Department for a $500,000 grant in December, and was awaiting the outcome, he said. The last grant the foundation had from the department was $345,000 in 1985, and the foundation was "down to the last pennies” of that, he said.

“We must have some resources for a new ap-

proach in 1987.” A.I.D.S. Foundation and Health Department A.I.D.S. prevention campaigns complemented each other, with the department informing the general public, and the foundation targetinggroups especially at risk from infection and following up education with support, he said. Surveys had shown that much of the homosexual community were well informed about the risk of A.I.D.S. and had taken steps to protect themselves. But there were other groups also at risk, who did not identify with the gay community, he said.

A large number of people engaged in homosexual acts, but feared social exposure more than the disease. As well, intravenous drug users were of special concern, along

with young people.

“There are still far too many schools that are frightened of sex education. Young people are leaving school at age 15 and 16, and are going into the workforce where they are exposed to a great deal of peer pressure with regard to sexual behaviour, and a total absence of information and support, at the stage when they are likely to be sexually experimenting.” Mr Lindberg said that the applied-for Health Department grant would be used to maintain the antiA.I.D.S. campaign for homosexuals, and to launch campaigns for these other at-risk groups.

The foundation also planned to apply later this year for on-going funding from the department to allow it to plan in the long term for its activities.