G.P.s accused of being unenlightened on A.I.D.S.

Press, 17 November 1987, Page 48

G.P.s accused of being unenlightened on A.I.D.S.

PA Wellington The Medical Association is ill-informed in opposing calls to make possession of intravenous drug equipment legal, A.I.D.S. Foundation director, Warren Lindberg, says. Mr Lindberg told the national conference on A.I.D.S. in Wellington that the association’s submission to an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act and its proposal to consider compulsory testing of doctors for A.I.D.S. showed “ignorance, fear

and Victorian morality.’’ "Extremes of homophobia can be found in the ‘Coalition Courier’ and the ‘Tablet,’ but real frustration occurs when health professionals demonstrate confusion between morality and science,” he said. The amendment calls for the decriminalisation of the possession of needles and syringes to allow chemists and others to sell them. Mr Lindberg told a reporter that if the amendment was passed it would still be an offence to inject illegal drugs but the

mere possession of the equipment would be legal. The Medical Association had opposed the amendment on the ground that it would encourage increased drug use. This was “as stupid as saying that making bottles and glasses will increase alcoholism.” Mr Lindberg said mandatory screening for A.I.D.S. using the antibody test was “inappropriate.” Mr Lindberg said punitive measures such as compulsory reporting of A.I.D.S. reflected prejudice.