Pubdate: Friday, October 30, 1998 Source: Ottawa Sun (Canada) Contact: http://www.canoe.ca/OttawaSun/ Copyright: 1998, Canoe Limited Partnership. Author: Megan Gillis HIV ON RISE FOR ADDICTS, GAY MEN Trend 'disturbing,' say region's health officials The virus that causes AIDS is appearing in epidemic proportions among drug addicts and young gay men, regional health officials said yesterday. "It's a disturbing trend," said Dr. Edward Ellis, the region's associate medical officer of health. In 1997, 52 gay men were diagnosed with HIV, compared to 30 in 1996. Infections among injection drug users jumped to 31 from 25 over the same period, making the region's infection rate 2.6 times higher than that of Toronto. And health officials believe that not all cases of HIV or AIDS are reported. Ellis said infection rates among young gay men and drug users have, in fact, gone up, but the wider availability of anonymous testing and partner notification accounts for some of the increase. More than 1,300 people in the region live with HIV or AIDS, and almost 400 people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since 1983. As health officials reported increasing rates of infection, measures aimed at protecting drug users came under fire. "We've found 190 syringes so far this year," said Cheryl Parrott of the Hintonburg Community Association." "Some have been found in children's sandboxes." Community groups are demanding the region clean up needles, limit the number of needles given to addicts and keep the needle exchange van away from community schools and parks. - --- Checked-by: Rolf Ernst