Statistics released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) under the Department of Health show that this year the vast majority of new AIDS infections occurred among intravenous drug users, compared to previous years when the bulk of those contracting the infection were a result of unprotected sexual relations.
Yang Shih-yan (楊世仰), head of the third division of the CDC, reported that of the 2,849 cases of AIDS reported in Taiwan this year, 64 percent were due to drug use, whilst 12 percent were due to homosexual and heterosexual intercourse 7 percent.
"This is not a matter to be taken lightly. Once these drug users are infected, they will infect their partners, who may then pass it onto their offspring," he said.
Since August this year, the CDC has been planning a strategy to achieve a "reduction in AIDS contraction among drug users."
strategies
Bill Bowtell, an Australian expert on reducing AIDS infection among drug users, was invited to Taiwan on Nov. 8 to talk about the strategies that are used in Australia.
"In Australia, the emphasis is on strict penalties for drug dealers rather than drug users," Yang said.
Yang revealed that at a meeting held at the Executive Yuan two days ago, governmental officials said they planned to follow Australia's strategy, and put the focus on stricter control of drug dealing rather than on drug use.
"The idea is to be more tolerant of drug use, with the aim of providing information regarding rehabilitation and giving the users a chance to reform, rather than punishing them," Yang said.
"Putting them in jail will only make things worse, as jails themselves are a big source of infection," he added.
rehabilitation
The core of the strategy will focus on three aspects including reducing the availability of drugs, reducing the need to take drugs through rehabilitation and damage limitation through screening for AIDS and providing education about AIDS.
There are also plans to provide 10 million clean needles for intravenous drug users at public health establishments across four cities and counties in Taiwan to decrease the risk of drug users using dirty needles.
When asked if this might encourage drug use, Yang said, "In Australia, 30 to 40 million needles are distributed by the government each year, and the rate of drug users contracting AIDS has dropped from 15 percent in 1987, to less than 2 percent."
clean needles
Currently, the Australian government spends the equivalent of NT$600 million (US$18 million) on projects to clean needles, which includes establishing needle recycling points across the country.
Wang revealed that after the distribution of needles in the US began, infection of AIDS resulting from drug use dropped from 50 percent of drug users, to 17 percent.
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