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Home My WebLink AboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1988-08-02, Page 3�l't r 1 rx�ts �tiyy§. You said in one of your columns that intravenous drug users were th second highest risk group con cernmg contracting AIDS. Why? T.L., Markham, Ont. believe what I wrote in a previous column was; that in- travenous drug abusers 'who share contaminated needles or syringes" are currently the second group to be most concerned about AIDS (follow- ing homosexual and bisexual, men who may practice analintercourse) and represent 17 per cent of the AIDS cases in the United States. Thisgroup in Canada represents 0.6 per cent of the AIDS cases (as of March 1988). By sharing contaminated needles, intravenous drug abusers run the risk of exposing themselves and others to the AIDS (HIV) virus, and are guilty . of contributing significantly , to the spread of the disease. A • practice called "double - barreling" and commonly -used by IV drug users involves drawing blood into a syringe containing the desired drug and then selling and -or giving the mixture to another user. Another common practice called "flagging" involves withdrawing blood from a vein and reinjecting the blood-dnlg C.Qmbination..repeatedly, sometimes sharing the combination with fellow users. As of Feb. 18, 1988, 9,210 in- travenous drug abusers in the United States have AIDS, from a total of 53,814 reported AIDS cases. In- Canada, _19- intravenous drug abusers have AIDS from a total of 1,622 reported AIDS cases as of March 7, 1988. The significant difference between the percentage of American IV drug abusers with AIDS and Canadian may be due to a smaller drug abuse problem in this country, but more importantly, it may stem from the fact that needles and syringes are more readily available here and, therefore, not shared as frequently. They can be purchased at most pharmacies over the counter, while in the U.S., a doctor's prescription is usually required. I own a small manufacturing business with about 50 employees. I'd like to provide my staff with an AIDS education program. What would you recommend? o L.W., Toronto, Ont. Congratulations on your initiative. More and more employers are appreciating the sensitivities of dealing with the possibility of AIDS in their workplace and are preparing their employees ac- cordingly. I recommend that you contact the Ontario Public. Education Panel on AIDS (OPEPA). This is a group of health care professionals and communications consultants who volunteer their services under bhe auspices of the Ontario Ministry of Health. The number for OPEPA is 1- 800-668-2437. Excellent materials are provided by OPEPA for distribution to em- ployees and other groups. Also if desired, OPEPA can provide qualified public speakers Who could conduct. an AIDS seminar within your company. The group also has any number of visual aids Which can be made available to kou on a no - charge basis. The Federal Centre for AIDS in Ottawa is also currently preparing a manual for AIDS education in the workplace which wiBl be provided free of charge to, sena l businesses to • W $tlx. ifa Although I manual'IS not ''aehetljled published until this fall, I suggest - Am order a quantity ;early by core- tacting Ray LeBlc, Federal Centre for AIDS, Health Protection Branch, Health and Welfare Canada, 301 Elgin Street, Second Floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A OI42, (613) 9574772. My book "AIDS: What Every Responsible Canadian Should Know" is also available to cor- porations and small companies at special quantity discounts for em- ployee distribution purposes. Write to Special Sales, Summerhill Press, 52 Shaftesbury Avenue, TT. Ato, Ontario, M4T 1A2, or the Canadian Public Health Association, 1565 Carling Avenue, Suite 400, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Z 8R1. My nephew died of AIDS and his family had great difficulty finding a funeral home th it would embalm him. I think this is just disgusting. If the boy is dead, wouldn't the AIDS virus die with him? -- Mrs. K London, Ont. Eventually, yes. The problem is that no one really knows how long the virus might remain alivein the dead body. Embalming involves draining blood from the, body and injecting preserving fluids. Without this procedtirer the body decom- ,i? es. ;Wilily ly_.and ..the . casket.. must,• remain.closeda ... The embalming process (blood draining) does present a risk to funeral directors and some are hesitant to' execute the procedure. Thereare safety guidelines that were ; recommended by the . Ontario Funeral ~services Association, however, this special process does incur additional funeral expenses. In most cases, families of AIDS victims understand the sensitivities involved and usually choose not to embalm Editor's note,: James Greig is a member of the Canadian Public Health Association and author of the book "AIDS,: What Every Responsible Canadian Should Know". If you have a questiolt-about AIDS, write to AIDS Awareness, 10 Tempo Avenue, Willowdale, Ontario, M2H 2N8. a x z6 3 wry NA 1'�IaNA�L AlYIT 1 �:.;.�fw..ix.R.:zss`WkWrokSs.o3v,, '''tih•e>.a,�. rcAn.,..; .,,., HES, �'r a Minister Malan Mdfroney, Huron-eruce MP Murray Cardiff, Mile Mu tori and Betty Cardiff sing natio al anthem during official opening ceremonies of the e. •eY, at Goderich.- Mr. Mulroney anej his whole family s • e t` . sday ed port facilities `ieh area In addition to the port facilities opening, ani.. , • � y ,.p � '��dut four iaot�rs� last �"ht�sda,�4n the �+pd,errelr p ng, t e• Mufroneys toured the Huron County Museum, currently undergoing expansion, and attended the Huron -Bruce Progressive •Conservative Association picnic. CRIME STOPPERS of Huron County Inc. Phone 1-800-265-1777 During the early morning o July 26, 1988, thieves broke into Willy's Burger Shop in Clinton. Crime Stoppers and the Clinton Police Force are seeking . the assistance of the public to help solve this break, enterer and theft. The thieves broke the _ east window at the takeout booth and climbed into the restaurant. Once inside, they began eating a cooked turkey and a macaroni salad. Police believe at least two parties are involved. As if they had been scared off, they left the restaurant taking only hall` of a roast and a General Electric radio. Total damage and theft was ap- proximately $120. You have any information about 1. '{s'1r' >N1`YWiiWaMlii�lw aw,'.i4u.,,y.. y `k !. t Y. toI n will not be traced nor taped, and your anonymity is guaranteed. You will never have to testify in courtnoridentify yourself. Remember crime doesn't pay, but Crime • Stoppers does! Do you kn(.)\V 11()'V t() r'ecituc( :hc risk �;ctttnt;AIDS? Practise safer sex. Get the facts. Let's Talk Call the Ontario Ministry of Health AIDS Hotline x. ' a ray iijN�i rid. iyit-.#1:; DAY CENTRE FAREWELL - A surprise party was held for Pam Williams, former director of the •Wingham and Area Day Centre for the Homebound, recently. Here Rita Buckle helps Ms. Williams - show off the lovely quilt she received as a parting gift from the day centreparticipants and volunteers. cliwtotz. Xandiscapin9 .'iniad Res;dential mutt Commercial Landscape Contr4cter P.R. 2 Lucknow, On1arj Bus, r519) 529-7247 iia mile south of Luc -know 091 Huron Ceuni Ro sd It 1 SALE July 27 - Aug. 20 • CASH & CARRY, IN -STOCK ITEMS ONLY - 25 % OFF: in stock patio furniture and accessories - 25 % OFF: junipers flowering crabapples ornamental standards blue spruce fruit trees - 50 % OFF: golden cedar selected deciduous shrubs .v0 F•Ca f, .1 cd`a01 clematis vines r